Things You'll Need:
- 8 medium sized firm apples
- 8 wooden sticks - buy at your local party supply or grocery store. (You can use popsicle sticks or bamboo skewers with excess cut off)
- Candy Thermometer
- Saucepan or pot
- Greased baking sheet or baking sheet with waxed paper (to put finished apples on)
- 3 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon extract(optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
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Step 1
Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. If the apples are wet the candy coating won't stick to the apple skin properly.
Remove the apple stems and insert the wooden skewer sticks into the apple where the stem was. If using popsicle sticks, first insert a knife into the apple where you want the stick to go to make inserting the stick easier. Set the apples aside. -
Step 2
To make the coating for the old fashioned red candy apples, put the sugar, corn syrup, water, cinnamon & food coloring into a pan and heat over medium high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. You do not want to bring the mixture to a boil until after the sugar has dissolved or sugar crystals will form. Once dissolved, bring the mixture to a boil until the candy thermometer reads between 290 - 300 degrees fahrenheit. Do not stir once it has started to boil, again to avoid sugar crystals. Once it has reached the proper temperature, remove from the heat.
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Step 3
Holding the apples by the wooden sticks, dip each apple into candy coating mixture. You may need to spoon the mixture over the apples to coat completely. Try and work quickly as the candy coating will begin to harden. If mixture thickens or cools too much, reheat it briefly before proceeding.
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Step 4
If desired, quickly dip the coated apples in optional toppings, or sprinkle the toppings over the apples before the candy coating hardens. Experiment with toppings and apple varieties to add your own unique touch to this old fashioned red candy apple recipe.
Place the coated apples with the stick pointing skyward onto a greased baking sheet or waxed paper. Completely cool before serving.
Topping Ideas:
* Candy Corn
* Shredded Coconut
* M&M's
* Chopped Nuts
* Chocolate Chips
* Candy Sprinkles -
Step 5
For a Halloween flair, omit cinnamon flavoring and use orange food coloring instead of red to make the apples look like pumpkins. Then make a face on the apples using black licorice pieces cut into shapes to make the eyes, nose & mouth.
Comments
jnusom said
on 10/28/2009 I always loved these I will certainly try it
mashell3752 said
on 9/14/2009 great artical 5*
brandy1123 said
on 10/23/2008 I aways loved candy apples as a child sounds great