How to Make a Christmas Dried Citrus Wreath
Supplies Needed
18-inch round florists foam wreath14 large citrus fruits (we used grapefruits, oranges, and Cara Cara oranges)8 small citrus fruits (we used lemons and limes)Fine glitterStraight pinsThick satin ribbonScissors
Step-by-Step Directions
With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own dried orange wreath. Customize your pretty Christmas wreath with your favorite fruits.
Step 1: Slice Citrus Fruit
Use a serrated knife to cut your small fruits into ⅛-inch-thick slices; cut larger fruit into ¼-inch-thick slices. If you’re using an oven to dry your fruit, heat to 150° F and place citrus slices on an open rack. Bake slices for 3 hours, turning over after 90 minutes. (Edges should not be brown.) If using a dehydrator, divide the citrus slices into batches of 15 or whatever your dehydrator capacity will accommodate. Place each batch in the dehydrator for 5 to 6 hours.
Step 2: Sprinkle Fruit with “Sugar”
When fruit is dry but slightly moist, remove it from the oven or dehydrator and place it on a wire rack to dry for 3 hours. Allow for more time if your home is humid. To give the fruit a “sugared” look, sprinkle the slices with finely-ground glitter. Fruit will be slightly tacky after dehydrating/baking, so the glitter will stick without additional adhesive.
Step 3: Build the Wreath
Use straight pins to attach the fruit slices to the foam wreath form, overlapping the pieces to cover the entire foam wreath. Tie a length of thick ribbon into a bow and attach it to the finished wreath with straight pins. If you have extra fruit slices or citrus rinds, turn them into a simmering potpourri to make your home smell amazing!
