How to Prepare Candy Apples

Prepare your own candy apples at home with ingredients from your kitchen pantry.

Instead of making a traditional dessert, make homemade candy apples to ease your sugar craving. Candy-coated apples are traditional during the holidays and at festivals. Encourage your family to help you make the apples, creating lasting memories. Make enough candy apples to give as Halloween treats or store them in the refrigerator for a quick snack.

Things You'll Need

• Baking sheet
• Aluminum foil
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Skewer
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• Saucepan
• Candy thermometer
• Basting brush
• 1/2 cup red cinnamon candy
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cover the aluminum foil with a nonstick cooking spray.

2. Wash the apples to remove any dirt and debris. Dry the apples completely. Remove the stems from the apples and insert a skewer trough the stem end. Do not push the skewer all the way through the apple.

3. Mix 1/2 cup of hot water, 1 cup light corn syrup and 2 cups of granulated sugar in a saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves.

4. Cook the mixture until it reaches a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid stirring the mixture while it cooks. Soak a basting brush with water. Brush the sides of the saucepan to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.

5. Add 1/2 cup of red cinnamon candy to the mixture. Stir the candy to mix it into the ingredients and continue to baste the sides of the saucepan with water. Cook the mixture until it reaches a temperature of 285 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Remove the saucepan from the stove top. Stir until the candy melts completely. Dip the apple into the candy mixture. Tilt the pan to ensure that you completely coat the apple.

7. Place the apples on the baking sheet. Let them cool at room temperature. Wrap them in plastic wrap if you want to enjoy them later.

Tips & Warnings

• Roll the candy-coated apples in chopped walnuts or candy corn.

• Never leave the melting candy unattended.

References

• Food Network: Candy Apples
• Homemade Dessert Recipes: Candy Apple Recipe
• Martha Stewart: Candy Apples
• All Free Crafts: Candy Apple Recipes