Homemade Orange Candy – A Sweet Citrus Treat to Share Recipe
This Homemade Orange Candy recipe offers a delightful citrus-flavored treat that combines fresh orange juice and zest with a sweet, chewy texture. Perfect for sharing or gifting, this candy is crafted with simple ingredients and a straightforward method that yields a vibrant, flavorful confection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Candy Base
- 3 medium Oranges – fresh, for zest and juice
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 cup Corn Syrup (can substitute honey if needed)
- 1 tablespoon Gelatin (or agar-agar for vegetarian option)
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Butter (optional for enhanced flavor and texture)
For Dusting (Optional)
- 1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
Instructions
- Zest & Juice Oranges: Start by zesting the outer peel of the oranges carefully to capture their fragrant oils, then juice the oranges until you have approximately 3/4 cup of fresh orange juice. This juice will serve as the flavorful base of your candy.
- Prepare the Syrup: In a saucepan, combine the freshly squeezed orange juice, 1/4 cup water, granulated sugar, and corn syrup. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture begins to simmer. This process should take around 5 minutes.
- Bloom Gelatin: In a separate mixing bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of cold water and let it rest for about 5 minutes to bloom. This step is essential to ensure the gelatin dissolves properly and gives the candy its chewy texture.
- Combine Mixtures: Once the syrup is simmering, add the bloomed gelatin to the saucepan. Stir continuously until the gelatin has fully dissolved. Then add the orange zest and the optional butter, cooking the mixture for another 5 to 10 minutes until it thickens to a honey-like consistency.
- Set the Candy: Pour the thickened candy mixture into a greased or lined 8×8-inch dish. Allow it to cool at room temperature briefly, then refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, or preferably overnight, until the candy sets firmly.
- Cut & Dust: Once set, carefully remove the candy slab from the dish and cut it into your desired-sized pieces. Dust the candy pieces with confectioners’ sugar to prevent sticking and add a sweet finish, if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh oranges for maximum flavor and vibrant aroma.
- Do not substitute granulated sugar with alternatives to maintain texture.
- Corn syrup can be replaced with honey but may slightly alter the texture and flavor.
- Gelatin is required to achieve the chewy consistency; use agar-agar for a vegetarian-friendly option but expect a firmer texture.
- The optional butter adds richness but can be omitted for dairy-free versions.
- Dusting with confectioners’ sugar helps keep pieces from sticking together.
- Store the candy in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Keywords: orange candy, homemade candy, citrus candy, gelatin candy, chewy candy recipe, orange zest candy, sweet citrus treat
