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Five Candy Apples on a cake stand with one on the table.
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4.90 from 28 votes

Candy Apples

These Candy Apples are a yummy fall treat! Unlike caramel apples, candy apples have a delicious candy crunch when you bite into them.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Cooling Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: candy
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Candy Apples
Servings: 8
Calories: 271kcal
Author: Echo Blickenstaff

Ingredients

  • 8 small apples I like Jonagold because they are sweet and crisp
  • 2 cups sugar white, granulated
  • 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 drops red food coloring or whatever color you would like your apples to be

Instructions

  • Line a cookie sheet or tray with wax paper or parchment paper. Wash and dry apples and twist off the stems. Insert a lollipop stick, popsicle stick, or thick wooden skewer into the top of each apple.
    Candy apples on a wooden cutting board.
  • In a medium-sized, heavy based, saucepan combine the sugar, water, and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil. To prevent burning on the sides of the pan, use a wet pastry brush to wipe the sugar granules that collect above the boiling mixture. Do not stir the mixture. After mixture is boiling well, simmer for 20 minutes or until it reaches the hard crack stage (about 150 C or 295-310 F). Keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn. It is best to check often with a candy thermometer.
    Candy apple sauce in a saucepan.
  • Stir in the food coloring until the color is uniform. Remove the pan from the heat. The mixture will be bubbly. It is important to wait until it stops bubbling to dip the apples or they will be covered with little bubbles (which may be good if you want your apples to look like they are covered in warts for Halloween).
    Candy apples on a wooden cutting board with candy apple syrup in a saucepan.
  • To dip the apples, carefully tip the pan to one side and insert one side of the apple into the mixture and rotate it until it is covered. Allow it to drain a little and place the apple on the wax paper to cool and harden.
    The side of a candy apple with a white stick on top.

Video

Notes

Tip: If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can test for the hard crack stage by dropping a small spoonful of the mixture into a cup of cold water. If it becomes instantly hard (like a piece of hard candy) and cracks when you tap it, it is ready.

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg