If you're not a baker or just want an easy treat to give your neighbors…try these salted chocolate dipped oranges! These juicy mandarin oranges are easy and delicious dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt. Pop them in a treat bag and attach the beautiful story of the Christmas Orange and you will create an unforgettable memory for your neighbors.
Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other young boys. In the winter, it seemed that any extra money went for coal to heat the old building. At Christmas, the building always seemed a little warmer, and the food a little more plentiful. But more than this –Christmas meant an orange. At Christmas each child received an orange, and it was coveted by each boy like no other thing that they ever possessed.
Each boy would save his orange for several days, admiring it, feeling it, loving it, and contemplating the moment he would eat it. Some would even save it until New Year's Day or later, much like many of us relish saving our Christmas trees and decorations until New Year's just to remind us of the joy of Christmas.
This particular Christmas day, Jake had broken the orphanage rules by starting a fight. The orphanage mother took Jake's orange away as punishment for breaking the rules. Jake spent Christmas day empty and alone. Nighttime came and Jake could not sleep. He sobbed silently. This year he would not have his orange to savor with the other boys.
A soft hand placed on Jake's shoulder startled him and an object was quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared into the dark to leave Jake alone to discover a strange looking orange — an orange made from segments of nine other oranges — nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired, and cherished until a later date.
At this Christmas time may the orange remind us of the love of nine orphan boys — unselfish love taught to us by our Savior, whose birth we celebrate.
Isn't it beautiful? After I read the story I couldn't wait to share! And since I had been meaning to make these salted chocolate dipped oranges, I thought it would be the perfect fit! It's an easy, no-bake treat that can really be enjoyed all year round. I'm not one to eat orange slices, but dip them in chocolate and I'll eat the entire thing! Everything is better dipped in chocolate, right?!
Your neighbors will remember this simple, but thoughtful treat year after year. After all, they will read about it, smell it, touch it, taste it and LOVE it! Print the Story of The Christmas Orange . If you are interested in buying the movie (I bought for my kids this year, they loved it!), click HERE.
Melt chocolate in microwave or on stove top. Dip peeled orange slices half way into chocolate and place on parchment paper. Sprinkle with sea salt while chocolate is still wet.
Place dipped oranges in refrigerator until chocolate is set. Toss oranges in treat bag and attach printable.