Homemade Orange Candy – A Sweet Citrus Treat to Share Recipe
Homemade Orange Candy is a delightful sweet citrus treat bursting with fresh orange flavor. Made from natural orange juice and zest, combined with sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, this candy offers a smooth, chewy texture with a vibrant aroma. It’s perfect for sharing or gifting, and can be customized with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: About 36 pieces 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Candy Base
- 3 medium Oranges (Use fresh oranges for maximum flavor and vibrant aroma)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar (Sweetens the candy mixture to perfection; no substitutions recommended)
- 1/2 cup Corn Syrup (Prevents crystallization for a smooth texture; can be replaced with honey if necessary)
- 1 tablespoon Gelatin (Gives structure and firmness to the candy; swap with agar-agar for a vegetarian option)
- 1/4 cup Water (Essential for dissolving sugar and blooming gelatin; no substitutions needed)
- 1 tablespoon Butter (Enhances the flavor and texture; optional for a dairy-free version)
For Dusting (Optional)
- 1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar (Dust over the cut candy for a sweet finish and to prevent sticking)
Instructions
- Zest & Juice Oranges: Start by zesting the outer peel of the oranges to capture their fragrant oils, then juice them until you have about 3/4 cup of fresh orange juice. This will be the flavorful base of your candy!
- Prepare the Syrup: In a saucepan, combine the orange juice, water, granulated sugar, and corn syrup. Heat over medium, stirring gently until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Bloom Gelatin: In a separate bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup of cold water and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial for getting that perfect chewy texture!
- Combine Mixtures: Once your syrup is ready, add the bloomed gelatin to the simmering mixture, stirring until fully dissolved. Mix in the orange zest and optional butter, and continue to cook for another 5-10 minutes until it thickens to a honey-like consistency.
- Set the Candy: Pour the thickened mixture into a greased or lined 8×8-inch dish. Allow it to cool at room temperature for a bit before refrigerating for 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, until fully set.
- Cut & Dust: After the candy has set, carefully remove it from the dish, cut it into your desired pieces, and dust with confectioners’ sugar if you like.
Notes
- Use fresh oranges for best flavor and aroma; avoid bottled juice.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute gelatin with agar-agar powder according to package instructions.
- The butter is optional but adds a richer texture and flavor.
- Use confectioners’ sugar to dust the candy and prevent pieces from sticking together.
- Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
Keywords: orange candy, homemade orange candy, citrus candy, chewy candy, gelatin candy, sweet treat
