Bring a touch of nostalgia to your kitchen with these dazzling homemade Candy Apples, a show-stopping treat perfect for fall festivities, Halloween parties, or as a fun dessert year-round. Shiny, crimson-red, and perfectly glossy, these apples are coated in a crisp candy shell made with granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and a hint of red food coloring for that classic look. With just six simple ingredients and 30 minutes of your time, you can create this timeless fairground favorite. The recipe guides you through achieving the perfect hard-crack stage for that signature crunch, plus tips for mess-free assembly using parchment paper and nonstick spray. These Candy Apples arenβt just deliciousβtheyβre a feast for the eyes, making them an ideal centerpiece or edible gift for any occasion!
Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. Remove the stems and carefully insert a wooden stick into the top of each apple, making sure it's secure. Set them aside.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent the candy apples from sticking.
In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently to combine.
Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely.
Once the sugar has dissolved, stop stirring and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow it to cook until it reaches 300Β°F (the hard-crack stage) on the candy thermometer. This process should take about 15β20 minutes. Be cautious, as the mixture will be extremely hot.
Once the candy reaches 300Β°F, immediately remove the saucepan from heat. Quickly stir in the red food coloring until evenly blended.
Working quickly, tilt the saucepan slightly and dip each apple into the hot candy mixture, swirling to coat it evenly. Let any excess drip back into the saucepan.
Place the coated apples onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow them to cool and harden completely, about 20β30 minutes.
Serve and enjoy your beautifully glossy candy apples! Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days.
Calories |
2439 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.0 g | 3% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 34 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 638.8 g | 232% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.4 g | 94% | |
| Total Sugars | 602.8 g | ||
| Protein | 3.0 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 77 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 1170 mg | 25% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.