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Moroccan oranges with cinnamon is usually served as a dessert salad at the end of a meal, especially when navel oranges are in season. The oranges are peeled and cleaned of all pith, then sliced and garnished with ground cinnamon and orange flower water. Sweet, refreshing and surprisingly delicious.
How can such a simple dessert be so good? If you look at the combination of flavors, you’ll see that they’re a perfect match: oranges, orange blossom water and cinnamon. It’s so Moroccan!
Of course, Morocco is well-known for the quality of its citrus. Usually the oranges are so juicy and sweet that little to no sugar is needed for this dessert.
Sometimes I serve this salad with a good vanilla ice cream—not traditional of course—and you can also tweak it by adding chopped walnuts or dates. They all go together very well.


Moroccan Oranges with Cinnamon and Orange Flower Water
Ingredients
- 2 sweet oranges, - preferably Navel
- 2 to 4 tbsp orange juice, - freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water - (pure, not imitation)
- 1 tsp sugar - (optional; no need if the oranges are very sweet)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
For garnishing
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel the oranges and remove the pith. Slice the peeled oranges anywhere between 0.2" (5 mm) to 0.4" ( 1 cm) thick.
- Add the other ingredients and toss the oranges delicately around.
- Cover with cling film and place in the fridge to chill and macerate for at least an hour.
- Arrange on dishes and give a last sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve cold.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate obtained from online calculators. Optional ingredients may not be included in the nutritional information.
About the Author
Nada Kiffa is Contributing Editor at Taste of Maroc. A native of Casablanca with strong Fassi roots, she writes about Moroccan and international cuisine at Ainek Mizanek.
Alicia
Saturday 23rd of April 2022
How long in advance can you make this? I have a dinner party I’d like to bring this too.
Christine Benlafquih
Saturday 23rd of April 2022
When I make this in advance, I arrange the slices on a platter. I'd sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on as much as an hour before serving.
Kathleen Lance
Monday 31st of January 2022
I remember having this in Morocco and loving it. I even shared the recipe with a grade school teacher who was doing a unit on international food. Wonderful dessert.
Alicia
Saturday 23rd of April 2022
@Christine Benlafquih, can I make in five hours in advance? Or will it break down? Thanks!
Christine Benlafquih
Monday 31st of January 2022
I love it, too. So easy and delicious, and no sugar is needed when the oranges are sweet.
Claudia
Monday 15th of April 2019
This dessert is simply amazing. I used red oranges and honey instead of sugar. Delicious! I do not know how Moroccan people serve it but I think it pairs great with a cup of mint tea. P.S: Licourice-Mint tea is Moroccan or rather Egyptian?
Thank you for the recipes.
Christine Benlafquih
Monday 15th of April 2019
Hi Claudia. I haven't had licorice added to mint tea, so perhaps that's an Egyptian combo or I just haven't had exposure to it in Morocco yet. We do make a licorice tisane or infusion here that's served cold rather than warm.