.: Nature's Confections! :.

.:There is still time to craft for The Wellness Tree please see my post to become involved here :.

.: A festive treat that joined us on our Saint Nicholas day celebration! :.

To make a festive treat of candied chocolate orange peels (like the ones that joined our Saint Nicholas day celebration) you will need:

6-8 Oranges

3 1/2 Cup Water, Divided

1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar (You may also try using honey as a sugar substitute, 1/2 or 3/4 of a cup to 1 cup sugar.  Also use less water as honey is a liquid.  Try a small batch first, I have not yet tested this method.)

3 Ounces Dark Chocolate Chopped

Makes 48 to 64 candies.  Make sure to carve out enough time as the reduction process is time consuming, but well worth it!

.: My family all knows that I love orange chocolate and I can always expect to have some gifted in my stocking on Christmas day, I am happy to make this version derived directly from the source! :.

Begin by slicing an orange into quarters. Cut right along the edge to remove the flesh of the fruit.  I like to leave an edge of the flesh intact with the peel, as it is delicious to taste a bit of the fruit along with the peel. 

You may cut the orange into thin strips that will give you about 16 strips, or cut them a bit thicker-- it's all up to you!

.: A special treat but once a year candied chocolate orange peels! :.

You will now have a fresh treat of oranges to sustain you while you continue on with your recipe! Next place the cleaned strips of orange peel in a small saucepan and pour in enough water to cover, about 1 cup.  Bring the water to a boil, cook for five minutes, and drain again.  Repeat this process once more in order to leech out any bitterness in the rind.

.:The smell of oranges wrapped in dark chocolate is an intoxicating combination!:.

Now it's time to candy the peels!  Add the sugar and a final 1/2 cup of water to the peels, and boil over medium heat once more.  Continue to cook until the excess water evaporates, leaving a thin coating of smooth sugar on each of the strips. 

Remove from the heat and immediately move the saucepan contents onto parchment paper.  Spread each piece out so that they do not touch. Allow to cool.

Once the coating has completely hardened, place the chocolate in a double boiler. Carefully watching and stirring, chocolate can burn very easily.  When the chocolate is completely melted and smooth, dip a piece of orange peel half way into the chocolate, and return it to the parchment paper. 

Allow the chocolate orange peels to dry before storing them.

This recipe was adapted from the cookbook "My Sweet Vegan" by Hannah Kaminsky.

.: I would love to hear when you make candied chocolate orange peels! I will be making a new batch very soon that I will wrap in parchment paper overlaid with brown paper tied with pretty ribbons, a fresh sprig of greenery from our tree and a hand made beeswax ornament for our neighbors and friends! :.

(My next post will be a wonderful giveaway from one of my sponsors Natural Earth Farm! You can find her shop on my right hand side bar!)