Zesty Homemade Candied Blood Orange Slices Recipe for Beginners

Blood orange slices convert ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary experiences with their vibrant, jewel-like appearance and complex flavor profile.

These citrusy gems radiate a mesmerizing deep crimson hue that captures attention instantly.

Sweet and slightly tangy, blood orange slices bring sophisticated elegance to any sweet creation.

Their unique coloration comes from powerful anthocyanin pigments that distinguish them from standard orange varieties.

Candying these delicate fruit slices requires patience and precise temperature control to achieve that perfect translucent, glossy finish.

Delicate sugaring techniques enhance the natural brightness and intensify the fruit’s inherent sweetness without overwhelming its nuanced character.

Home cooks can elevate their dessert game by mastering this simple yet impressive technique.

Why Homemade Blood Orange Slices Stand Out

• Burst with Vibrant Flavor: Blood oranges deliver a unique, tangy-sweet taste that dances on your palate with a stunning crimson-ruby color unlike regular oranges.
• Master an Elegant Technique: This recipe teaches a professional candying method that transforms simple fruit into a gourmet delicacy, perfect for elevating desserts and cocktail garnishes.
• Versatile Culinary Treasure: Candied orange slices work magic as decorative cake toppers, cocktail embellishments, charcuterie board accents, or standalone sweet treats that impress guests with minimal effort.
• Simple Preservation Magic: By carefully simmering orange slices in sugar syrup, you create a delectable preserve that extends the fruit's shelf life while intensifying its natural sweetness and developing a gorgeous translucent appearance.

What You’ll Need for These Blood Orange Slices

• Blood Oranges: Vibrant winter citrus with deep red flesh, offering rich color and sweet-tart flavor profile. Choose oranges with smooth, unblemished skin and heavy for their size.
• Oranges: Fresh, juicy citrus fruit with bright flavor and essential natural pectin. Select firm oranges without soft spots or bruising.

• Granulated Sugar: Core sweetening agent that creates glossy, translucent candied coating. Pure white sugar provides clean sweetness and helps crystallization.
• Water: Essential liquid for dissolving sugar and creating syrup base. Clean, filtered water ensures pure flavor.
• Corn Syrup: Optional ingredient that prevents sugar crystallization and creates smooth, glossy texture.

• Citric Acid: Natural preservative that adds subtle tartness and helps prevent sugar crystallization. Food-grade powder ensures best results.
• Cooking Spray: Light oil coating prevents sticking during drying and cooling process.
• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface for catching syrup drips and storing candied slices. Helps prevent messy workspace.

Easy Method to Candy Blood Orange Slices

Step 1: Prepare Your Citrus Canvas

Thoroughly wash oranges under warm water, scrubbing gently to remove any waxy residue. Pat them dry with a clean towel.

Step 2: Slice with Precision

Using a sharp knife, trim the orange ends. Carefully cut uniform 1/4-inch slices, removing any pesky seeds along the way.

Step 3: Create Magical Syrup

• Sugar
• Water
• Corn syrup

Heat mixture over medium-high temperature, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Use a pastry brush dipped in water to clean down pan sides.

Step 4: Simmer and Transform

Lower heat to medium-low. Gently place orange slices into syrup, creating a single elegant layer. Softly simmer, flipping slices every 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Watch the Sugar Dance

Monitor syrup temperature carefully. As it reaches 225°-230°F, bubbles will start to form. Skim off any foam developing around pan edges.

Step 6: Achieve Translucent Perfection

Continue cooking until slices become almost transparent and syrup hits 240°-245°F. This magical process takes about 50-60 minutes.

Step 7: Rest and Transfer

Remove from heat. Let foam settle for a minute. Carefully transfer slices to a lightly greased cooling rack using a fork.

Step 8: Create Citrus Preservation Liquid

Mix water and citric acid, whisking into remaining hot syrup. Transfer syrup to heat-proof jars and let cool.

Step 9: Dry and Crisp

• Bake at 200°F for 45-60 minutes
• Increase to 250°F for additional 15-20 minutes

Allow complete cooling afterward.

Step 10: Store Your Sunshine Slices

Store between parchment paper layers. To prevent stickiness, lightly dust with granulated sugar before storing in an airtight container.

Enjoy your homemade candied blood orange slices – a burst of citrusy sweetness in every bite!

Ideas for Better Blood Orange Candying Results

• Select Perfectly Ripe Oranges: Choose blood oranges that are firm, heavy for their size, and have vibrant, deep red-purple skin for the most intense flavor and beautiful color.
• Slice with Precision: Use a very sharp knife to create uniform 1/4-inch slices, ensuring even cooking and professional-looking candied results.
• Control Syrup Temperature: Watch the candy thermometer carefully between 225°F-245°F to achieve the ideal candying consistency without burning the delicate fruit.
• Manage Moisture Carefully: Allow slices to dry completely to prevent stickiness, using either air-drying or low-temperature oven method for best texture.
• Preserve Brilliantly: Store candied orange slices between parchment paper in a cool, dry place, and sprinkle with granulated sugar to prevent excess moisture and maintain their beautiful appearance.

How to Save Candied Slices for Later Enjoyment

• Refrigeration: Store candied blood orange slices in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 2 weeks. Place in the refrigerator to extend freshness and prevent sugar crystallization.
• Freezing: Carefully stack slices with parchment paper separating each layer inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring they remain separated to prevent sticking.
• Reheating: Gently warm slices at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain delicate texture and prevent syrup from becoming too runny. Sprinkle additional granulated sugar if needed to restore original coating.

What Works Well with These Blood Orange Slices

• Pair with Sparkling Dessert Wine: Complement the candied blood orange slices with a crisp, sweet moscato or prosecco. The light bubbles and fruity notes will dance perfectly with the citrusy, sugary treat.
• Match with Creamy Mascarpone: Serve these candied orange slices alongside a dollop of smooth, rich mascarpone cheese. The creamy texture balances the bright, intense citrus flavor, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Create a Chocolate Companion: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the candied orange slices or serve them next to a piece of bittersweet chocolate. The deep, slightly bitter chocolate will enhance the sweet, tangy orange flavor, making a sophisticated flavor combination.
• Elevate with Herbal Tea: Brew a cup of chamomile or lavender tea to sip alongside these candied oranges. The delicate herbal notes will provide a gentle contrast to the intense citrus sweetness, creating a soothing and refined pairing.

Ways to Play Around with Blood Orange Slice Recipes

• Exotic Citrus Medley: Experiment with different citrus fruits like grapefruit, tangerines, or Meyer lemons to create a vibrant and colorful candied fruit collection.
• Spiced Candied Oranges: Add warm spices like cinnamon, star anise, or cardamom to the sugar syrup for a fragrant and complex flavor profile.
• Chocolate-Dipped Delight: After candying and drying the orange slices, partially dip them in dark or white chocolate for an indulgent treat that combines citrusy brightness with rich chocolate.
• Herbal Infusion: Steep fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in the sugar syrup during cooking to introduce subtle, aromatic undertones to the candied orange slices.

Homemade Candied Blood Orange Slices Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sweet-tangy candied blood orange slices showcase Mediterranean citrus magic at its finest. Glazed with delicate sugar syrup, these glistening orange gems offer a luxurious dessert garnish that elevates any culinary creation you might serve.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 small blood oranges (or 1 large orange)
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) filtered water

Flavoring and Stabilizing Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) corn syrup (optional)

Syrup Enhancing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) filtered water
• ¼ teaspoon powdered citric acid

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse oranges under hot running water, removing any waxy residue with gentle scrubbing.
2. Trim off both ends of each orange, creating a stable base for uniform slicing.
3. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut oranges into consistent 1/4-inch translucent rounds, meticulously removing any visible seeds.
4. Prepare a syrup mixture in a medium saucepan, combining sugar and water with smooth, deliberate stirring over medium-high heat.
5. Allow the liquid to reach a rolling boil, then reduce temperature to maintain a gentle simmer.
6. Delicately arrange orange slices in a single layer within the simmering syrup, ensuring each piece is fully submerged.
7. Periodically flip the slices every 10-15 minutes, promoting even candying and preventing uneven caramelization.
8. Monitor the syrup temperature closely; as it approaches 225°-230°F, subtle bubbling and foaming will occur.
9. Continue cooking until slices become translucent and syrup reaches 240°-245°F, approximately 50-60 minutes.
10. Remove from heat and let the foam settle naturally for a brief moment.
11. Transfer candied slices to a lightly greased cooling rack using a fork, allowing excess syrup to drip away.
12. Dissolve citric acid in water and incorporate into the remaining hot syrup, then carefully transfer to heat-resistant containers.
13. Allow orange slices to air dry at room temperature overnight, or expedite drying by using a low-temperature oven method.
14. For crisp preservation, store slices between parchment paper layers, optionally dusting with granulated sugar to prevent excessive stickiness.

Notes

• Select blood oranges that are firm, vibrant, and free from blemishes for the best candying results.
• Slice oranges uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the batch.
• Use a candy thermometer for precise temperature monitoring to achieve perfect candied orange slices.
• Create a breathable drying environment to prevent excess moisture and maintain the slices’ delicate texture.
• Consider storing candied orange slices in a single layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their shape.
• Experiment with additional flavor enhancements like vanilla extract or spices during the syrup cooking process for unique variations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 260
• Sugar: 64 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg