Holiday Chocolate Orange Recipes
December 15, 2021
by Jade Farhat
Eat
Oranges
Oranges thrive in a Mediterranean climate. They like the warm weather, but their peak season coincides with the winter months in order to change the colour of their skin from green to orange. There are lots of orange varieties, like mandarin, clementine, satsuma, tangerine, navel, Valencia, Cara cara, and blood oranges to name a few.
From a nutritional point of view, oranges are rich in vitamin C, which boosts our immune systems. Also, the antioxidants inside oranges help to slow down the aging process of our skin which keeps us looking bright and refreshed. And, beyond their delicious flavour and nutritional quality, the smell of oranges is said to be refreshing and helps to reduce stress — making them the ultimate winter pick-me-up.
If you’re ready to stretch your taste palate beyond the common orange, take a look at some of the more exotic and colourful varieties below.
Cara Cara Oranges
This variety of orange was first discovered on an orchard in Venezuela and brought over to California’s sunny landscape. Initially, you could only find Cara cara oranges in specialty stores, but demand for their unique colour grew. That’s because although these beauties may look like regular oranges on the outside, when you slice into them, you’ll be surprised by a vibrant pop of pink. Bonus, this variety is also seedless.
Some describe these oranges as having a hint of red fruit flavour like cherry, cranberry, or raspberry with a touch of a delicate floral aroma like rose. Additionally, Cara caras taste sweeter and less acidic than regular oranges.
Blood Oranges
Blood oranges originated in Sicily and Spain, and can now be found growing in both California and Florida. Don’t be fooled by the intimidating name — this citrus fruit will only make you feel amazing. Blood oranges have a more red-hued outer skin, and the flesh inside is a vibrant scarlet colour thanks to special antioxidants called anthocyanins, which are only produced when the fruit is exposed to colder temperatures. In fact, it’s the same thing that makes blueberries blue and cherries red. Bonus, this powerful antioxidant is helpful in cleaning up damage-causing free radicals in the body.
Whether orange, pink or red, let’s jump right into how you can pair oranges with chocolate for a delicious explosion of flavour.
Chocolate Dipped Orange Wedges
With just two ingredients and countless topping options, making chocolate dipped orange wedges is about as simple as dessert can get.
Ingredients
- 3-4 Clementine Oranges
- ½ Cup Dark Chocolate
- Optional: Sea Salt, Crushed Almonds, Coconut Flakes
Instructions
- Prep Oranges: Peel clementines and separate into individual wedges
- Prep Chocolate: Melt chocolate in a double boiler until glossy and smooth.
- Dip Oranges: Dip each orange wedge halfway into the melted chocolate. Place on a lined baking sheet. Optional — sprinkle with sea salt, nuts, or coconut flakes.
- Finish and Enjoy: Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes and enjoy!
Candied Blood Orange Slices
If you do have a little more time available, indulge in the luxury of making candied oranges. With its glossy appearance, these seductive slices are as gorgeous to look at as they are delicious to eat. To really impress, use the red-speckled blood orange for an extra pop of colour.
Ingredients
- 2 Blood Oranges
- 1 Cup Granulated White Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
- 2 Cups water
- ½ Cup Dark Chocolate
Instructions
- Prep Oranges: Slice oranges into thin slices. Carefully remove and discard any seeds.
- Candy Oranges: Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a wide, deep pan. Bring to a boil until the sugar has completely dissolved. Drop heat to a low simmer and then add the orange slices to the pan. Simmer the slices for 1 hour, uncovered, or until the slices have become nearly transparent.
- Cool Oranges: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Once the orange slices are transparent, transfer them carefully from the poaching liquid, allowing any excess syrup to drip back into the pan, and place onto the baking sheet, laying them out flat to dry. Allow the candied orange slices to dry, uncovered, for a minimum of 24 hours, or until they are mostly dry and minimally tacky.
- Prep Chocolate: Melt chocolate in a double boiler until glossy and smooth.
- Dip Oranges: Dip each candied blood oranges slice halfway into the chocolate. Place on a lined baking sheet.
- Finish & Enjoy: Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes until chocolate hardens and then enjoy!
Orange Chocolate Mousse
Is there anything more divinely silky and decadent than a chocolate mousse?! Tap into your deepest chocolate fantasies with this creamy, dreamy, orange chocolate mousse recipe. For an even more extravagant look, let the mousse set inside a hollowed out orange.
Ingredients
- 5 Large Oranges
- 4 Eggs
- 4 Ounces Semisweet Chocolate
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 Teaspoon Orange extract
- 6 Tablespoons Butter, unsalted
- 1/3 Cup + 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- 1/8 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 ¼ Cup Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Zest 1 orange. Slice 1 orange in half and juice. Slice off the tops of the 4 remaining oranges, scooping out the insides carefully without breaking the skin. Separate the egg yolk and whites.
- Prep Chocolate: Combine the chocolate, ¼ cup orange juice, vanilla extract, and the orange extract in a double-boiler until the chocolate melts. Whisk in the orange zest and butter until combined. Let cool
- Beat Egg Yolks: Place the egg yolks and 1/3 cup of the sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on high speed until very thick and pale yellow. With the mixer on low speed, add the cooled chocolate mixture. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Beat Egg Whites: Place the egg whites, the salt, and ½ tablespoon of sugar in a new clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until firm but not dry. Carefully fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture a little bit at a time.
- Beat Heavy Cream: Without cleaning the bowl or whisk, whip the heavy cream and the remaining ½ tablespoon of sugar until firm. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture a little bit at a time.
- Fill and Refrigerate: Pipe or pour the mousse into the hollowed out oranges. Chill for a minimum of 2-3 hours. Optional — decorate with shaved chocolate, mint, and orange slices.
Orange Chocolate Energy Bites
Did you know there’s actually more flavour in the zest of citrus fruits like oranges than in the juice of the fruit itself? You can zest the skin to brighten up desserts like these easy and delicious orange chocolate energy bites.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cara Cara Orange
- 3/4 Cup Dates
- 1 Cup Pistachios (cashews, almonds, or walnuts are also great)
- 2 Tablespoons Cacao Powder
Instructions:
- Prep Fruit: Zest orange, then cut in half and juice half the orange. Boil water and then pour over the dates, allowing them to plump up and become soft. Strain and dry.
- Mix: Blend nuts and cacao powder in a food processor until they are very finely ground. Add in the pitted dates, the orange zest (reserving some for garnish), and 2-3 Tablespoons of orange juice. Blend until mixture is sticky.
- Finish & Refrigerate: Roll mixture into balls, and garnish with orange zest. Refrigerate for an hour and then enjoy!
Orange Chocolate Martini
If the stove top isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the flavour combo of orange chocolate with this yummy cocktail recipe. To really let your inner chocoholic out, dip the rim of the glass in chocolate syrup — and then garnish with an orange slice.
Ingredients
- 1 Ounce Vodka
- 1 Ounce Chocolate Liquor
- 1 Ounce Cream de Cacao
- 1 Ounce Orange Liquor (Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec)
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange slice.
Just as the colour orange is said to inspire happiness, these orange chocolate desserts are sure to have an uplifting effect on those lucky enough to eat them. And, as with any foods made with love, they will bring a sense of culinary accomplishment and satisfaction to you as well.
Make your holidays even more festive with these delicious add-ons!
