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Small Batch Orange Marmalade

Gari McMellon
This small batch orange marmalade is made with whole citrus, peel and all, for a naturally thickened spread with real texture and bright flavor. Use Cuties, mandarins, or oranges, and adjust the sweetness to your taste.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, French, Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 Cuties (or 3–4 mandarins, or 2–3 oranges)
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1/2 cup raw cane sugar per 1 cup chopped fruit
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of kosher salt

ptional, for added sweetness:

  • 1/4 cup raw cane sugar, honey, or maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Prep the fruit
    Wash your Cuties, mandarins, or oranges well.
    Slice them in half, remove any seeds, then finely chop the whole fruit, peel and all.
    The smaller you chop, the smoother your marmalade will be.
    Measure and combine
    Add the chopped fruit to a saucepan.
    Measure your sugar based on the fruit, use 1/2 cup raw cane sugar per 1 cup chopped fruit.
    Add the 1 cup filtered water, lemon juice, and pinch of kosher salt.
    Start the cook
    Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine.
    Bring it up to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally so the sugar fully dissolves.
    Simmer and reduce
    Let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 25–35 minutes.
    Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking.
    As it cooks, it will thicken and the peels will soften.
    Check texture
    The marmalade is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and thickens as it cools.
    If you drag a spoon through it, it should leave a line that slowly fills back in.
    Adjust sweetness (optional)
    Taste it.
    If you want it sweeter, stir in up to 1/4 cup additional sugar, honey, or maple syrup while it’s still hot.
    Final texture (optional)
    For a smoother marmalade, you can lightly mash with a spoon or use an immersion blender for just a few pulses.
    Leave it chunky if you like more texture.
    Cool and store
    Remove from heat and let cool.
    It will thicken more as it sits.
    Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate.
Keyword citrus, homemade, small batch, spread
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