Make beautiful candy from your food waste!

Candied orange peels dipped in chocolate and decorated with chopped nuts or sprinkles are impressive for gifts or entertaining.

If youre crafty, go for it.

Chocolate Covered Orange PeelsChocolate Covered Orange Peels on a Tray with Two Bowls of Toppings. Some Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Are Topped with Sprinkles and Nuts.

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

But Im talking about making excellent candy out of food waste.

A quick dip in velvety dark chocolate makes them irresistible.

Candied orange peels are truly the OG thrifty, food waste-reducing, yet classy treat.

Plate of Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Next to a Tray with More

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Preserving fruits and their peels in honey is an ancient technique, made easier with granulated sugar.

This ancient preservation technique is deceptively simple.

This isnt necessary, and is so fussy that you might not want to make the peels at all.

Close Up: Chocolate Covered Orange Peels with Some Topped with Sprinkles

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

To Temper or Not To Temper?

If you want a glossy, professional snap to your chocolate, go ahead and temper it.

To get the un-tempered chocolate to harden, let it set, then transfer to a container and refrigerate.

Chocolate Covered Orange Peels on a Tray with Two Bowls of Toppings. Some Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Are Topped with Sprinkles and Nuts.

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Candied fruit and peel was always part of the rum-soaked fruitcakes we eat at the holidays.

Anywhere that pops of sweet orange flavor would add excitement, you might add some minced peel.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.

Tops and Bottoms of an Orange Cut Off on a Cutting Board Next to an Already Cut Orange for Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Recipe

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Using a paring knife, trim 1/4 inch off the top and bottom on the oranges.

Discard the trimmed tops and bottoms.

Now, cut the peel on each orange into quadrants, to make 4 vertical segments.

Orange Peel Cut in Quadrants Using a Pairing Knife for Orange Peels Covered in Chocolate Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

you’ve got the option to leave the fruit itself whole, to eat later, if desired.

Remove each section of peel in 1 piece.

Drop the orange peel slices in the pot of boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes.

Orange Peels Cut into Slices on a Cutting Board for Chocolate Orange Peels Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Drain in a colander, rinse, and drain well.

Add the boiled peel slices.

Return to a boil.

Boiled Orange Peels in a Colander for Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Reduce the heat to keep the syrup bubbling but not boiling over.

Pour the sugar into a large, wide bowl.

Lift the orange peel strips from the syrup with tongs and drop in the sugar.

Orange Peels Boiling and Bubbling in Pot of Simple Syrup for Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Recipe

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Turn to coat, then transfer to the foil-lined pan, not touching.

Reserve the syrup for another use.

Let stand in a well-ventilated spot until the coating is dry, 1 to 2 days.

Orange Peels in Pot of Reduced Simple Syrup for Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

When the orange peels are firm and dry to the touch, line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

Chop the chocolate in small pieces.

Place the chocolate in a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of over simmering water.

Orange Slices Tossed in a Bowl of Sugar

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Stir until melted and smooth, then transfer to a 2-cup glass measuring cup.

Place the chopped chocolate in a 2-cup glass measuring cup and microwave for 30 seconds.

Remove, stir, and continue microwaving in 30 seconds bursts, stirring after each, until smooth.

Sugar Coated Orange Slices Resting on a Lined Baking Pan for Chocolate Covered Orange Peels

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Dip each strip in chocolate, covering about 3/4 of the peel.

Place each on the prepared pan as you go.

Sprinkle with colored jimmies or nuts, if desired.

Orange Pieces Dried on a Lined Baking Pan for Orangettes Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Pop them in the freezer and they last for 4 months or more.

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Measuring Cup with Melted Chocolate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Recently Dipped and Decorated Chocolate Covered Orange Peels Drying on a Baking Sheet

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Chocolate Covered Orange Peels with Some Covered in Sprinkles Next to a Bowl of More Sprinkles

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm