Decadent Chocolate Orange Sticks Recipe

Zesty Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks Recipe for Sweet Fans

Sweet citrus meets rich chocolate in these delectable homemade chocolate orange sticks that promise a burst of flavor in every bite.

Each orange-infused stick carries a delightful zesty essence that dances on the tongue.

The combination of tangy orange and smooth chocolate creates a luxurious treat that feels both nostalgic and elegant.

Crafting these confections at home allows you to control the intensity of orange and chocolate flavors.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that impresses with minimal effort.

Indulge in this simple yet sophisticated confection that will become your new favorite sweet escape.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks Ingredient Breakdown

For The Citrus Base:
  • Oranges: Bring zesty sunshine to your treat, selecting firm, vibrant fruits with smooth, unblemished skin for maximum flavor and peel quality.
  • Orange Zest: Adds bright, fragrant citrus notes that elevate the entire confection, ensuring a pure and intense orange essence.
For The Sweetening Elements:
  • Granulated Sugar: Creates a luxurious syrup that transforms bitter peels into delicate, candied strips with a glossy, translucent finish.
  • Water: Acts as the medium for sugar dissolution and gentle peel transformation, helping to mellow the citrus intensity.
For The Chocolate Coating:
  • Dark Chocolate Chips: Provides rich, deep chocolate flavor that perfectly complements the candied orange, creating a sophisticated taste profile.
  • Coconut Oil: Ensures smooth chocolate consistency, adding a subtle tropical undertone and helping the chocolate set with a beautiful sheen.

Supplies To Make Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks Easy

  • Large Pot: Essential for boiling and simmering orange peels, removing bitterness.
  • Slotted Spoon: Perfect for lifting orange strips out of syrup without splashing.
  • Medium Saucepan: Ideal for creating sugar syrup and cooking orange peels.
  • Wire Rack: Helps drain and dry orange peels evenly after cooking.
  • Microwave-Safe Bowl: Great for melting chocolate smoothly and quickly.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup super easy.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting oranges and precise peel strips.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate sugar and water measurements.

Steps To Craft Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks At Home

  • Orange Peel Preparation

Select ripe, fresh oranges and carefully remove outer skin into delicate strips. Remove excess white membrane to ensure smooth texture.

  • Softening Process

Boil orange strips multiple times in water to eliminate bitter taste. This technique transforms harsh peels into tender, sweet morsels perfect for candying.

  • Sweet Infusion

Create sugar syrup and gently simmer orange strips until they become translucent and glossy. The slow cooking allows peels to absorb sweet flavors deeply.

  • Drying Stage

Spread softened orange strips on wire rack, letting them air dry naturally. Patience during this stage ensures perfect candied texture.

  • Chocolate Embrace

Melt rich dark chocolate with smooth coconut oil, creating luxurious coating. Carefully dip each orange strip, allowing chocolate to elegantly drape halfway.

  • Final Touch

Allow chocolate-covered treats to set at room temperature. Store in cool, dry container to maintain crisp texture and intense flavor. These homemade delights offer sophisticated taste combining citrus brightness with deep chocolate richness.

Flavor Tips For Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks

  • Chocolate Orange Sticks Pro Tips & Tasty Twists
  • Zesty Precision Technique: Use a sharp paring knife to remove white pith completely, ensuring a cleaner, less bitter orange peel flavor that enhances the final candy texture.
  • Syrup Mastery Hack: Monitor sugar syrup carefully during simmering, stirring gently to prevent burning and achieve perfectly candied, glossy orange peels with a smooth finish.
  • Dietary Flexibility Magic: For vegan options, replace regular chocolate with dairy-free dark chocolate and use coconut oil. Gluten-sensitive individuals can enjoy this recipe as it's naturally gluten-free.
  • Flavor Adventure Boost: Experiment with different chocolate variations like white chocolate, dark chocolate with sea salt, or add crushed pistachios for extra crunch and sophisticated flavor profile.
  • Storage Wisdom Trick: Keep homemade chocolate orange sticks in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for up to two weeks, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain optimal texture.

Serving Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks For Holidays

  • Dessert Pairing Paradise: Serve these chocolate orange sticks alongside a creamy vanilla panna cotta for a luxurious Italian-inspired treat.
  • Tea Time Twist: Complement the citrusy chocolate sticks with a hot Earl Grey tea, letting the bergamot notes dance with the orange flavor.
  • Gourmet Gift Idea: Package these elegant candied orange sticks in a clear cellophane bag tied with a rustic ribbon for a stunning homemade present that will wow friends and family.
  • Brunch Brilliance: Arrange the chocolate-dipped orange sticks on a beautiful wooden board alongside other sweet nibbles for a stunning brunch dessert spread that looks totally Instagram-worthy.

How To Store Homemade Chocolate Orange Sticks Neatly

  • Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep chocolate orange sticks in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Line the container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful appearance.
  • Smart Batch Preparation: Whip up multiple batches during citrus season and freeze uncoated orange peels for future chocolate dipping. Sealed freezer bags will protect the peels for 3-4 months, letting you enjoy homemade treats anytime.
  • Quick Temperature Tips: Allow chocolate-dipped sticks to set at room temperature for a glossy finish. Refrigeration works faster but might create slight condensation on the chocolate surface. Pat gently with paper towel if moisture appears.
  • Travel-Ready Snacking: Pack chocolate orange sticks between wax paper sheets in a rigid container for picnics, road trips, or lunch boxes. Keep them cool and away from direct sunlight to prevent melting. Perfect for sharing sweet moments with friends and family.
Print
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Decadent Chocolate Orange Sticks Recipe

Decadent Chocolate Orange Sticks Recipe


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4.6 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Chocolate orange sticks blend rich dark chocolate with zesty citrus for a luxurious homemade treat. Crisp candied orange peel dipped in smooth chocolate creates an irresistible confection you’ll want to share with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL / 0.5 fl oz) coconut oil or shortening (optional coating helper)
  • 1 cup (170 g / 6 oz) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ cups (360 mL / 12 fl oz) water
  • 1 ½ cups (360 g / 12.7 oz) granulated sugar
  • 3 large oranges

Instructions

  1. Peel Preparation: Extract orange peels with precision, meticulously removing white membrane to ensure a clean, pure citrus base.
  2. Blanching Process: Submerge orange strips in rapidly boiling water multiple times to neutralize bitterness and prepare for candying, draining thoroughly between each immersion.
  3. Syrup Transformation: Construct a luminous sugar syrup in a saucepan, gently simmering orange strips until they become translucent and absorb sweet essence, creating candied delicacies.
  4. Drying Stage: Arrange orange strips on a wire rack, allowing natural air circulation to dehydrate the candied peels completely, which typically requires several hours of patient resting.
  5. Chocolate Coating: Melt high-quality chocolate chips with a touch of coconut oil in a microwave, stirring intermittently to achieve a smooth, glossy consistency perfect for dipping.
  6. Dipping Technique: Immerse each candied orange strip halfway into the molten chocolate, ensuring an elegant coating that showcases the vibrant citrus interior and creates a visually appealing confection.
  7. Setting and Storage: Place chocolate-coated strips on parchment paper, allowing them to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator, then transfer to an airtight container to preserve their delicate texture and intense flavor profile.

Notes

  • Peel Precision: Remove all white pith thoroughly to prevent bitter undertones and ensure a clean, pure citrus flavor in your chocolate orange sticks.
  • Blanching Technique: Repeat boiling water process 3 times to dramatically reduce orange peel bitterness and create a softer, more refined candied texture.
  • Chocolate Tempering Hack: Add a small amount of coconut oil to chocolate for smoother melting, glossier finish, and prevent chocolate from becoming grainy or chalky.
  • Storage Strategy: Keep chocolate orange sticks in cool, dry environment to maintain crisp texture and prevent chocolate from melting or developing condensation.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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