Homemade Candy Apples: Sweet Memories in Every Crunch
Delight in the nostalgic flavors of candy apples, a perfect treat for autumn gatherings.
Equipment
- Heavy saucepan
- - Candy thermometer
- - Baking sheet
Ingredients
For the Apples
- 6 pieces Fresh Apples (Gala or Granny Smith) Choose large, crisp varieties for best flavor and crunch.
- 6 pieces Candy Apple Sticks Wooden skewers can be used as a substitute.
For the Syrup
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar Can be swapped with brown sugar.
- 1 cup Corn Syrup Light corn syrup is traditional.
- 1 cup Water
For Color and Flavor
- 1 teaspoon Food Coloring Use gel for vibrant colors.
- 1 teaspoon Flavoring Extracts (e.g., vanilla or cherry) Get creative with your favorite flavors.
Instructions
How to Make Candy Apples
- Prepare your workspace by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly to remove any wax or residue, then insert a candy apple stick into each apple.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently.
- Boil the syrup until it reaches 310°F (hard crack stage), stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and carefully add your food coloring and flavoring extracts.
- Dip each apple into the hot syrup, turning to coat fully, then place on prepared sheet to cool.
- Cool the dipped apples at room temperature until the candy shell hardens completely, about 30 minutes.
Notes
Optional: Add festive sprinkles or edible glitter before the candy coating sets for a delightful touch.