This Dark Chocolate Covered Orange Peel recipe is the perfect healthy treat. Though they are soaked in sugar syrup and coated in dark chocolate I think you will agree that these are an indulgent way to satisfy a craving.
Chocolate covered orange peels are always a favorite of Manservant’s.
Every year around Passover I buy him these treats, but they seem to be getting harder and harder to find.
He loves anything chocolate and orange flavored and that includes chocolate orange candy bars and those chocolate and orange balls they sell at Christmas.
When I discovered how easy these chocolate orange confections are to make I decided to give it a go.
What a way to win his heart!
With big navel oranges in the grocery store, I decided to give these simple confections a try.
Use large oranges with thick skin for the best candied orange peels.
I, of course, was wanting to make a little something sweet with them, so I decided this chocolate covered orange peel recipe probably wouldn’t be too hard to make.
These are so easy to make as long as you can peel an orange.
Please don’t tell me you can’t peel an orange.
All right. I admit, my mom used to peel them for me. They always seemed to taste better that way.
Chocolate covered orange peels are a delicious treat that combines the refreshing taste of citrus with the rich, creamy goodness of chocolate.
They are easy to make at home and can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for later use.
How to Make this Chocolate Covered Orange Peel Recipe:
To make candied orange peel, start by slicing off the top and bottom of a large orange.
Then, use a sharp vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to remove the orange peel in thin strips.
Try to remove only the orange part of the peel, leaving the white pith behind.
The pith is bitter and will affect the taste of the final product.
Once you have removed the peel, cut it into thin slivers or ¼ inch strips.
Blanch the orange peel in boiling water.
Drain and run under cool running water and do it again.
Next, combine the water and sugar in a medium sized heavy saucepan over medium-low heat.
Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the orange peel strips and simmer until the orange peel is translucent and tender and almost no liquid remains.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the strips to a wire rack set over a parchement or wax paper lined, rimmed baking sheet to cool.
Once the strips are cool, roll them in additional sugar and let them dry on a cooling rack.
Now you can eat the candied peels as is, but I prefer to dip peels into chocolate.
Candied orange peel dipped in chocolate not only makes perfect gifts, it looks beautiful on a cookie tray.
I like dark chocolate, but feel free to use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer.
To make chocolate covered orange peels, start by melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave at 60 second intervals on power level 7, stirring at each interval until chocolate is smooth and shiny.
Dip the candied orange peels into the melted chocolate and place them on a wire rack to set.
If you have excess chocolate on the bottom of the peels, scrape it off with a sharp knife.
Let the chocolate set at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
Tips for making this chocolate covered orange peel recipe:
- Use fresh valencia or navel oranges for the best results.
- Use organic oranges if possible to avoid any pesticides or chemicals.
- Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to remove the orange peel in thin strips.
- Try to remove only the orange part of the peel, leaving the white pith behind.
- Simmer the orange peel strips in a sugar syrup until they are translucent and tender.
- Use a wire rack placed on a sheet pan lined with wax paper or parchment paper to cool and dry the candied orange peels.
- Use a double boiler or microwave to melt the chocolate.
- Dip the candied orange peels into the melted chocolate and place them on a wire rack to set.
- Scrape off any excess chocolate on the bottom of the peels with a sharp knife.
- Store the chocolate covered orange peels in an airtight container at room temperature for later use.
Chocolate covered orange peels are a delicious treat that are easy to make.
I am not a big user of citrus and have never ever liked orange marmalade or lemon meringue pie.
Lemon in sweet food never really did it for me, nor did orange, and after being on the grapefruit diet in high school; well, I never really liked grapefruit much after that.
However, I will imbibe a Salty Dog now and then, but only if the conditions are right.
One thing I do love though, is freshly squeezed orange juice.
Winter often found us in Phoenix visiting my parents and way back when, one was able to find orange groves with juice stands just standing by the side of the road.
My dad would pick up gallons of juice for us to drink and that was always so special.
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen an orange grove in Phoenix.
I guess the orange groves have now become shopping malls and I do miss them.
Blossoming orange trees are just the best perfume.
So what to do with the fruit inside the orange?
Either eat those orange slices or make juice!
The year’s end is suddenly upon us and it has hit me with a vengeance; a good kind of vengeance though.
The kind that says it is good to be begin again.
Though we haven’t had Alex’s company, we have had the pleasure of Zoe’s, and I certainly hope she wants to do it again.
We’ve crammed in massages and movies and museums.
She’s skied and I’ve cooked and the refrigerator is more full than I remember it in the last year.
We’ve celebrated Hanukkah, eaten banh mi’s, chili mac and steak, and last night we had a full fledged Thanksgiving, even though the table wasn’t decorated with pumpkins and gourds.
We still have New Year’s to go, but she will be with friends, so it looks like I’ll be cooking for just my friends.
I do expect though that she and the boyfriend will probably be coming back in time for dessert and whatever else might be around to stuff into their mouth’s!
It’s been a grand visit and it isn’t even close to being over.
Today she is with her dad helping him choose new eyeglass frames and I thank her for that!
But back to these dark chocolate covered candied orange peels.
Manservant apparently caught Zoe diving into his stash.
He deftly hid them up high in the pantry in a nice cool spot, where she can’t reach.
Never knew chocolate covered orange peels had such an effect.
So whether you make these for gifts or gifts for yourself, maybe you should hide them, unless of course you like to share!
Need Some More?
Orange Poundcake with Chocolate
Fennel Orange Salad with Cheese Lava Cake
This is an updated post from 2014.
Don't feel like making them? These look really good!
This post contains affiliate links from which I may or may not be paid a small commission at no cost to you!
Recipe
Chocolate Covered Orange Peel Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chocolate Covered Orange Peel recipe is the perfect healthy treat. Though they are soaked in sugar syrup and coated in dark chocolate I think you will agree that these are an indulgent way to satisfy a craving.
Ingredients
Peel from several large oranges, pith cut away and sliced into thin strips
½ c water
2 T sugar
A few tablespoons of super fine sugar (optional)
1 c dark chocolate
Instructions
Blanch peel in saucepan of boiling water for one minute. Drain and run under cool running water. Repeat the process.
Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
Boil water and sugar in a small heavy saucepan over medium low heat, until sugar dissolves. Add peel and simmer until almost no liquid remains.
Transfer peel to prepared sheet, separating into strips. Cool completely. When almost cooled, I sprinkled peels with superfine sugar on one side.
When peels have cooled, melt your chocolate in a small bowl. I do this in a microwave on a low power for about one minute each time, whisking in between until chocolate is smooth. Now dip each individual peel into chocolate and carefully lay then back on the paper. Let harden in fridge and then enjoy!
Judee Algazi says
I recently went to a woman's seder and they served chocolate covered orange peels. so good
Thomas Murphy says
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Thomas Murphy says
I like to eat oranges or drink orange juice.
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Amanda Sakovitz says
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Amanda Sakovitz says
I love to eat citrus on salads!
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Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I love citrus a LOT. But I found out a few years ago, you haven't tasted orange juice until you have it fresh off the trees.
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I subscribed too. What a woman.
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Elle says
I also follow on pinterest.
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I follow you on pinterest as well.
Elle says
My favorite way to eat citrus is raw. I love oranges the most.
Liz Berg says
Happy New Year!!! My mom used to make candied orange peel---and I certainly didn't appreciate it as a child. Now it's just embarrassing how much I could eat! You've inspired me to make a batch 🙂
Sherrie K says
I like to slice citrus into wedges to eat! Yummy!
Crystal says
I don't think I've ever really done anything with citrus other than eating as-is or like, orange juice! Might have to try out your recipe, though - almost anything can be improved by adding chocolate!
Ashley Kolpak says
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Ashley Kolpak says
I love having citrus just the way it is! [email protected]
Elizabeth Lamontagne says
My favorite way to eat citrus is in smoothies. I make smoothies frequently in my Nutribullet and then stick them in the freezer until they become like a sorbet consistency. Very delicious!
Cheri Savory Spoon says
Hi Abbe, that is so true about the citrus fields becoming shopping malls and there is even a joke about it. Our lemons and grapefruit trees are just about ready for the pickings. love your chocolate covered orange peels, they are lovely. I try especially this time of year to eat a grapefruit every day. Happy New Year!
Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself says
Ooft I am in love with these peels, they look so tasty 😀
Definitely my favourite to put on cakes!
Happy New Year!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Stephanie says
I love citrus straight out of the fridge - navel oranges are one of my faves since they are so easy to peel.
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Georgette says
My favorite way to eat citrus is with my gluten-free pancakes or waffles- anything to spice up gluten-free breakfast.
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latanya t says
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latanya t says
I just eat them raw
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I subscribed to your emails! 🙂
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Allison Downes says
Im following you on Pinterest as allisondownes
Allison Downes says
This is a great way to use the peels! Never had this before. My favorite way is to make a citrus salad.
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SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
This is one treat I've never tried making but I love that rich, dark chocolate on yours! I love eating grapefruit and oranges and have one almost every day.
JC says
First comment didn't show up.
I like citrus in salad.
CbytheSea5 (Linda) says
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CbytheSea5 (Linda) says
Kind of boring but I love citrus fruits as they are - plain and delicious.
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CbytheSea5 (Linda) says
Kind of boring but I love citrus fruits as they are - plain and delicious.
cbythesea5@gmail dot com
Biz says
Glad you have had such fun with Zoe and eaten great food! My daughter and her boyfriend and loving everything I've made for them so far - I guess they kind of got into a food rut before moving in with me.
My MIL sent me Florida citrus one year for Christmas several years ago as my present, and I told her she never had to think again of what to send me - fresh grapefruit and oranges - so good! I love broiled grapefruit - drizzled with either honey or sprinkles of brown sugar then put under the broiler until browned and bubbly - love the sweet/savory combo.
Happy almost New Year!
Angie Schneider says
We love clementines and mandarins! These candied orange slices look amazing, Abbe.
JC says
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jacquie astemborski says
my favorite way to eat citrus is just as it is.
Seyma Bennett Shabbir says
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Seyma Bennett Shabbir says
I love to eat candied lemon and orange peel when I make syrup. I add the peel in the syrup using 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water and 1 small clove,
Rebecca W. says
We love to eat oranges with cottage cheese for breakfast.
Karen Harris says
My daughter and I discovered buddha's hands a few years ago at Whole Foods. I was amazed and have been a fan of their scent ever since. Your chocolate orange peels look so good. Have a great time with Zoe.
Nancy says
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Nancy says
My favorite way to eat citrus is simple: eating fresh peeled clementines or tangerines just as they are.
Nancy
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DeniseL says
Abbe, I've been following your blog foe about a year now. Somehow I just noticed your reference to Monical's Pizza. We just returned from visiting my in laws in Arthur IL. We pass the Arcola Monical's every time. My husband grew up on it and we stop there from time to time. Small world! By the way I love lime curd. I use it as a filling in layer cakes. Happy New Year!
Abbe Odenwalder says
You are so lucky! I loved Monicals. Growing up we went every Wednesday night for family night! Don't know if it is still as good, but I'd sure be happy to give it a try! Thanks for reading!
Elena says
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Elena says
My favorite way to eat citrus is eating it raw
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I subscribe to your emails.
Valencia
VP22 says
My favorite way to eat citrus (oranges and tangerine) is to just peel and eat.
Valencia
Kiki C. says
I love to eat clementine's in the winter....easy to peel, no seeds, great taste!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Simple, easy and chocolate - some of my favorite words ever! These are really beautiful and a classic combination of flavors. Happy New Year Abbe!