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Mexican Orange Drops

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Submitted by annie318

Mexican orange drops are caramelized sugar candies made with evaporated milk, orange juice, orange zest, and chopped nuts, rolled into balls and hardened. A traditional Mexican dulce with bright citrus flavor.

YIELD

2 dozen

PREP

20 min

COOK

20 min

READY

2 hrs

These are old-school Mexican candy, the kind your abuela made on the stove while you watched the sugar turn gold.

One cup of sugar gets melted and caramelized in a heavy saucepan until brown. Hot orange juice goes in first (it sizzles, so stand back), then hot evaporated milk. The rest of the sugar and salt follow, and everything cooks to the softball stage without stirring.

That no-stir rule matters. Stirring crystallized sugar makes the candy grainy instead of smooth. Let the thermometer do the work.

Once it hits softball stage, orange zest goes in and the mixture cools. Then you beat it until creamy, stir in chopped nuts, roll into balls, and let them harden on foil. The finished candies have a fudge-like texture with a bright orange flavor running through every bite.

Pro Tips

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Thin pans create hot spots that burn the caramel.
  • Heat the orange juice and milk before adding to the caramelized sugar. Cold liquid hitting molten sugar can seize and clump.
  • Don’t stir while cooking to softball stage. Swirl the pan gently if you need to distribute heat, but keep your spoon out.
  • Test for softball stage by dropping a small amount into cold water. It should form a soft, pliable ball.

Variations

  • Use pecans or walnuts for the chopped nuts. Both pair beautifully with orange.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon for a Mexican chocolate-inspired warmth.
  • Roll finished balls in powdered sugar or toasted coconut for a different presentation.

Ingredients

1 237
3 710
CUPS ML SUGAR
¼ 59
CUP ML ORANGE JUICE
boiling
¼ 1.3
TEASPOON ML SALT
1
X ORANGE ZEST
grated, to taste *
1 237
CUP ML NUTS
chopped

Directions

Heat milk in double boiler.

Melt 1 cup of the sugar in heavy saucepan.

When the sugar is brown, add the hot orange juice, and then the hot milk.

Stir in the rest of the sugar and the salt.

Bring to a boil and cook covered for 3 minutes, then uncover and cook over low heat, without stirring, to the softball stage.

Remove from heat and add the orange zest.

Cool. Beat until creamy, and stir in the nuts.

Roll into balls and let harden on foil.

* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 232g (8.2 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 832 22% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 185mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 54g 54%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars g
Protein 16g
Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 10%
Calcium 11% Iron 8%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
Low Cholesterol, Trans-fat Free, Good source of fiber
 
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