Homemade Orange Marmalade Gift-Making
We love homemade food gifts! They show you really care, might save a bit of money, don’t create clutter, and can be enjoyed by just about anyone. We taught an orange marmalade making and gifting class earlier in December and now we want to share with it with you. Below, you will find our orange marmalade recipe, a recording of the cooking class, and gifting and storing tips. Our recipe and tips makes this recipe accessible for all ages and abilities to participate in. A few main things to keep in mind:
Knife safety. Cutting oranges is difficult mostly because they are round and not stable on the cutting board. Use some knife safety tips from this post and whenever possible, cut items with their flat side down. Be careful cutting the orange in half the first time, then situate the two halves with their flat sides down on the cutting board so they are not rolling around. It should be easier from there!
Food processors. You will need a food processor or blender for this recipe. It only needs to run for a few seconds. If you or you child are sensitive to sounds, we recommend using noise canceling headphones while the food processor or blender is running. Alternatively, you can try chopping the oranges but it may take a little while to chop the rind into small enough pieces.
Stove safety. You will also need to use the stove. Use our stove safety tips from this post. If your child is too short to see into the pot, use a step stool. It will help from an engagement standpoint but is also the right height for them to have the correct posture and arm position for safely working at the stove. Use potholders to hold onto the handles if needed and make sure to keep bodies a safe distance from the stove.
Orange Marmalade Recipe
Yields: 3 half pint jars
Ingredients:
1 pound oranges (about 2 medium sized oranges)
Zest and juice from 1/2 lemon
2-3 Tbsp water
2 cups sugar
Supplies:
Food processor or blender
Microplane or zester
Medium pot
Measuring cups and spoons
Small bowl
Mixing spoon and spatula
Mason jars or storage containers
Directions:
Wash oranges, making sure to thoroughly scrub the peels since you will be using them in the recipe.
Working with one orange at a time, cut off both ends of the orange.
Cut the orange in half.
Cut the half into 4 quarters. Repeat with the other half. This should leave you with 8 pieces from one orange.
Repeat with the remaining oranges.
Add orange pieces into a food processor or blender and pulse until the rind is broken down into very small pieces.
Add the oranges to a medium pot.
Zest 1/2 lemon over the orange mixture.
Squeeze the juice from the 1/2 lemon into the orange mixture. Stir to combine.
Measure 2 cups of sugar and add to the pot.
Measure 2 tablespoons water and add to the pot.
Stir until fully combined. Add the remaining teaspoon of water if the mixture looks too thick.
Set the pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Bring the orange mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 30-35 minutes. (When done, the marmalade will slide off the spoon/spatula in sheets rather than in drops).
Once done, cool slightly and divide the mixture evenly between mason jars or storage containers with lids. Allow to cool to room temperature, then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Gifting & Storing Tips:
If you are gifting your marmalade jar, feel free to add a card and bow, gift tag or holiday stickers to add some festive wrapping to your gift! For this you will need:
Ribbon of desired color/texture, at least 2 feet in length (this allows for enough room to cut off excess)
Hole puncher (if attaching a card)
Small piece of thick card stock (3x3” square is a great size)
Pens or markers (if attaching a card)
Scissors
If you are storing your marmalade jar, keep in mind these tips:
Marmalade will last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator
Marmalade will last up to 3 months in the freezer
Make sure marmalade is fully cooled before storing in the refrigerator or freezer
If not using mason jars, make sure to use another air-tight containers when storing the marmalade
If you are looking to multiply the recipe:
For a double recipe (6 jars), you’ll need
2 pounds oranges (about 4 medium)
Zest and juice from 1 lemon
4-6 Tbsp water
4 cups sugar
For a triple recipe (9 jars), you’ll need
3 pounds oranges (about 6 medium)
Zest and juice from 1 1/2 lemons
6-9 Tbsp water
6 cups sugar
Ways to use Orange Marmalade:
Spread on toast or crackers
Use as a spread on a cheese board
Use as filling in thumbprint Cookies
Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt
Use in salad dressings and marinades
Bake into a cake
