Here’s a delicious homemade orange slice candy recipe coated with powdered sugar and pecans. These are chewy, tangy, and perfect for gifting or snacking.
Orange Slice Candies with Powdered Sugar and Pecans
Ingredients (makes ~20–25 slices)
- 2 large oranges (for juice and zest)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp corn syrup (optional, for smooth texture)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans (optional for rolling)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Orange Peel
- Peel the oranges carefully and remove the white pith (too bitter).
- Slice the peel into thin strips (~½ inch wide).
2. Blanch the Peel
- Place peel in a saucepan of water.
- Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes, drain. Repeat twice to reduce bitterness.
3. Make the Sugar Syrup
- In a clean saucepan, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup.
- Heat over medium heat until sugar dissolves and the syrup reaches soft-ball stage (~235–240°F / 113–116°C).
- Add orange zest and simmer 1–2 minutes.
4. Cook the Orange Peel
- Add the blanched orange peel to the syrup.
- Simmer on low about 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peel becomes translucent.
5. Dry the Candies
- Use tongs to remove peel strips and place on wax paper.
- Let them dry for 6–8 hours or overnight until slightly tacky but not wet.
6. Coat with Sugar and Pecans
- Mix powdered sugar and chopped pecans in a shallow bowl.
- Roll each orange slice in the mixture until coated.
- Shake off excess and place on fresh wax paper to set.
Tips for Success
- Keep the sugar syrup at soft-ball stage to get chewy, not hard, slices.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of orange liqueur while cooking.
- Store in an airtight container; they last up to 2 weeks.
These make a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and nutty!
If you want, I can also give you a shortcut version using orange juice concentrate that skips the long simmering—still soft and chewy. Do you want me to share that version too?
