Dark Chocolate-Covered Candied Orange Slices
Is there any better flavor combination than chocolate with orange? These Dark Chocolate-Covered Candied Orange Slices are the most perfect combination of Christmas flavors you could dream up. And - they're so easy to make!
Let me introduce you to the newest addition to my holiday cooking and baking deliciousness. Dark Chocolate-Covered Candied Orange Slices. With just a hint of holiday spice from some cloves.
I’ve been kind of busy lately, so I decided that I would cut back on the Christmas cookie baking and go for quality over quantity. After all, there are no kids at home, and it’s pretty much just me sticking my hand into the cookie jar (or the freezer in my case), to grab a few of my Cranberry Orange Almond Shortbread Cookies until they’re all gone.
So I made only two types of cookies this year. I'm currently on a shortbread kick,
I was also planning to make my “healthy” dark chocolate fruit and nut bark when I spied these beauties on Facebook or Pinterest, or somewhere in my travels the other day. Holy. Special. Christmas. Treat.
These Dark Chocolate-Covered Candied Orange Slices are my new favorite healthier candy of all time.
Don’t be alarmed by the overnight simple syrup soak, or the 3 hour convection oven drying, and next day dipping. It's 99% hands-off work, and THEY ARE SO WORTH every minute. I’m just hoping I can keep them around until Christmas.
And oh yeah, by the way, oranges are full of vitamin C, and dark chocolate is full of antioxidants makes them A-OK in my book 🙂
Recipe
Dark Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Slices
Ingredients
- 4 medium oranges washed
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar plus ¼ cup divided
- 1 small handful whole cloves
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped
- Maldon or sea salt optional
Instructions
- Bring water and 2 cups sugar to a simmer in a large sauté pan. Add cloves and stir to dissolve sugar. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Let the simple sugar cool a bit, and transfer it to a large covered mixing bowl.
- Slice oranges crosswise into ¼-inch thick slices, discarding end pieces
- Add orange slices to cooled sugar water, making sure they are all submerged. Cover the bowl, and set it in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 48 hours. Give the slices a stir and toss periodically to make sure they all spend enough time under water.
- Transfer orange slices to a wire rack set on a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. I line the pan with a sheet of parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Heat the oven to 180 degrees, and set it to convection if you have it. Place the cookie sheet in the oven for about 3 hours. Check the orange slices periodically and turn them so they dry evenly. They may need a little more or less time. You'll know they're finished when they're slightly tacky to the touch, but mostly dry.
- When orange slices are firm, dry, and chewy, remove them from the oven and let them cool. Toss the cooled orange slices with the remaining sugar. This is optional, but the sugar keeps the slices less sticky.
- Melt chocolate in a microwave bowl, 1-2 minutes, until melted. Stir and check after 1 minute.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip one side of each orange slice in melted chocolate, and lay on parchment paper. If desired, sprinkle lightly (just a few grains per slice) with salt. Refrigerate the orange slices until the chocolate is hardened
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freezer for a month.
Notes
Save any leftover spiced orange syrup for tea. Heaven.
Nutrition
What are you baking up for Christmas?
Eat well!
Making them today. Very excited to give as Christmas presents and especially for those gluten free friends. Smells wonderful in my home as preparing these. I am going to package them in cellophane, beautiful ribbon and custom Christmas label. Presentation of the vibrant orange and chocolate is a wow factor of color.
Had to make extra sugar water though as my oranges were not submerged. Wondering if because size of the oranges vary. Great idea and thanks for sharing.
I'm so glad you like them Jodie! Yes, orange sizes do vary so good idea to make extra sugar water. Happy holidays!
Are these Gluten Free? Dairy Free?
Hi Maureen, most bittersweet chocolate is dairy free but check the label to make sure there's no milk or cream added. If you use milk chocolate, it will contain dairy. There's no gluten in this recipe but again, double check the ingredients on the chocolate you're using.
Can the drying be done in a food dehydrator?
I don't have a dehydrator but I think it would work fine - let me know if you try it!
Is this in Celsius or Fahrenheit?
Hi Lori, It's Fahrenheit. You need a very low oven temp to dry the fruit.
Oh aren't these beautiful! Simple and elegant these orange slices are perfect for gifts or just to have at home to share with friends and family. I'll have to give them a try!
Thanks Holly! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
I love this combination! There's a small chocolate shop where I'm from that makes orange rind dipped in dark chocolate. I can't wait to make these with the whole orange and enjoy every last bit.
I hope you love them Pamela! Make sure you sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top - the sweet and salty is SO good! 🙂
These sound soooper.!!! For Christmas gifts, will they keep if prepared early December (whether they last is another issue entirely). Thanks. Judy
Hi Judy - I think if you keep them in the freezer they will hold until Christmas. Plus they'll be out of sight 🙂 Enjoy!