{"id":2365,"date":"2021-12-14T22:13:47","date_gmt":"2021-12-14T22:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emilyronehome.com\/?p=2365"},"modified":"2021-12-29T14:55:06","modified_gmt":"2021-12-29T14:55:06","slug":"how-to-dry-oranges-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emilyronehome.com\/?p=2365","title":{"rendered":"How To Dry Oranges for Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A step-by-step tutorial to teach you how to dry oranges for Christmas!<\/em> Use your new inexpensive & sustainable Christmas decor on trees, wreaths, and garland.<\/em><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This holiday DIY is so charming, fun, easy, and inexpensive. Dried oranges also feel nostalgic to me, and I love to find ways to bring natural and organic elements inside to my decor. Heres what you’ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUPPLIES TO DRY ORANGES FOR CHRISTMAS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

-3-5 large oranges<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Mandolin slicer and\/or sharp knife and cutting board<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Cookie sheet(s)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Parchment Paper<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Oven<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Optional- Gesso or Mod Podge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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STEP 1: Slice Oranges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To dry oranges for Christmas decor, it’s best to use the thinnest slices of citrus you can manage (approximately 1\/4″ thick). The thicker your slices are, the longer they\u2019ll take to dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great knife skills are not something I’ve been blessed with, so I decided to use my mandolin slicer to ensure both consistently and skinny slices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first slice was mainly just the “butt” of the orange, so I discarded it. I was then able to run the orange through the mandolin 2-4 more times and get nearly perfect rounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, once I neared the middle, the orange was either not firm enough or the mandolin slicer was not sharp enough. My slices would stop halfway through and tear into a big mess. I decided to flip the orange over to the other end, toss the “butt” piece then get another good 2-4 more slices before ending up back in the middle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was able to use a sharp knife and cut another slice or two from what was left in the middle of the orange. Note, this process is messy! I had a pool of fresh squeezed OJ on the counter when everything was said and done. I wish I would have thought to find a way to salvage the juice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 3 large oranges, I was able to get 22 good slices with all edges intact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"How<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

STEP 2: Bake Oranges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To prepare for baking, preheat your oven to 175-200 degrees F. You want the temp low to dehydrate the slices slowly and decrease the chances of burning them.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the orange slices out evenly. Bake on the lower rack for about 6 hours. I set my timer every 30 mins to flip the slices and rotate the baking sheet once every hour. These recommendations are definitely conservative, and result in a more hands-on process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I make them again next year, I will see if I can get away with setting the oven at 200 degrees to cut down on baking time, and rotating every 45 min to 1 hour. Other tutorials said it should take 4+ hours, but mine definitely took an entire 6 hours before they were completely dried out. You want them completely dry with absolutely no moisture left so they don’t rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How\"How<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

STEP 3: Decorate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once your oranges have cooled, it’s time to use them to decorate your home. Since I only had one pan of good slices, I strictly used mine as Christmas tree ornaments. If I had more, I would have added some to my tablescape for my holiday wine tasting party<\/em><\/a>, and made garland as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I haven’t decided how I plan to store mine yet, but I’ve seen people use either Gesso or Mod-Podge to help preserve their slices of citrus and use them for years to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I love the affordability of this holiday DIY, as well as the organic feel the dried orange slices bring to my decor this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the overall baking time is rather lengthy, the actual hands on time is much less. This leaves time for more holiday projects! I\u2019ve been busy with a few other DIY’s this year, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n