Candied Orange Peel: An 18-Century Classic Made Modern with Tinker Dust

As we gear up for the holiday season, we have a proclamation to make, and we'd like to shout if far and wide: Tinker Dust is not just for cake! Tinker Dust is shimmery and ethereal, the perfect accoutrement to any artfully crafted cake, always making an impression when it's used. But Tinker Dust is not just for wedding or birthday cakes! In fact, we dare to say that it belongs in every kitchen, from the professional bakery to the heart of every home. It's shelf stable, has tons of uses, and can match any color scheme imaginable. We urge you to think outside the box with all the possibilities Tinker Dust has to offer! 

Candied orange peel has been around for centuries, and because of its vast history, it’s holiday treat that frankly is underrated. Sugary and fresh with a bit of that delightfully bitter bite of citrus. Yum! It keeps well stored in an airtight container for months after the holidays are over, and it’s a great way to use & consume a healthy food that would otherwise be tossed in the trash or compost bin. To update this age-old tradition, we tossed a little Tinker Dust into the sugar before tossing in the cooked citrus peel. How pretty does this look piled high on a plate? Serve with a holiday candy bar or on a charcuterie plate as an unexpected twist to your holiday table!

Candied Orange Peel

Ingredients:

6 large oranges

2 cups sugar + ½ cup more, divided

5 cups water

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Orange Tinker Dust

To make:

Cut oranges into quarters and carefully remove peel. Preserve orange segments for snacking or juicing! Cut orange peel into strips. Add peel, water, and 2 cups sugar to a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Bring flame to medium low and cover, simmering for 45 minutes to an hour. Drain water when peel is fork tender.

Allow peel to cool a bit. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss peel in ½ cup sugar until fully coated. Sprinkle a bit of Tinker Dust on and toss. Arrange peel on a wire rack so no pieces are touching each other and allow to dry for 2 days.

When peel has fully dried, it may still be sticky. Throw peel in a large freezer bag with 2 teaspoons of Orange Tinker Dust and powdered sugar to coat. Enjoy immediately! Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to six months.