Nothing beats the warm glow of dried citrus decorations catching the winter light. These beautiful dried orange slices bring a touch of natural charm to your home, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for Christmas or year-round display, here’s how to create your own.
You’ll Need:
4-5 oranges
Sharp knife
Tea towels
Baking parchment
Baking trays
String or ribbon
Optional: whole cloves, cinnamon sticks
Method:
Slice your oranges about 1cm thick. Pat them dry with a tea towel to remove excess juice – this speeds up the drying process.
Line your baking trays with parchment and lay out the orange slices. Make sure they’re not touching.
Pop them in the oven on its lowest setting (usually around 100°C/80°C fan). Leave the door slightly ajar using a wooden spoon – this lets moisture escape.
They’ll need about 4-6 hours to dry completely. Check occasionally and flip them every hour or so. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re stiff and slightly darkened.
Once cooled, thread string or ribbon through the pith of the dried orange slices to hang them. For extra festive flair, poke whole cloves into the flesh or tie them with cinnamon sticks.
Top Tips:
Blood oranges create stunning deep red tones
Try mixing with dried limes for colour variety
Store in an airtight container if not using straight away
Lovely grouped in threes on your tree or strung together as a garland
These decorations should last several years if stored properly. Plus, they’ll release a subtle citrus scent whenever you brush past them – rather lovely on a dark December evening.
