Easy Homemade Candy Apples: Classic Fair-Style Red Treats in 40 Minutes
Shiny Candy Apple Coating for Fall Fun
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Fall fairs and backyard gatherings are not complete without a shiny candy apple, offering that perfect nostalgic crunch and sweet red glaze.
Ingredients for a Perfect Candy Apple
- 6–8 medium tart apples (Granny Smith or Fuji), rinsed and dried
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 8–10 drops red food coloring
- 15 wooden sticks or skewers
- Nonstick cooking spray
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Candy Apples
- Prep your apples: Remove stems and insert wooden sticks into apples. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the candy base: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and vinegar. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
- Boil to hard crack stage: Clip a candy thermometer to the pan and cook over medium heat without stirring. Let mixture reach 300°F (hard crack stage).
- Add color: Remove from heat and carefully stir in red food coloring until the syrup turns glossy and ruby red.
- Coat the apples: Holding each apple by the stick, dip into the hot candy mixture. Rotate to coat evenly, letting excess drip back into the pan.
- Cool and set: Place coated apples on the prepared baking sheet. Let them sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes, or until the candy shell is completely hardened.
- Serve and enjoy: Once set, your candy apples are ready to share and munch on!
Why You’ll Love This Candy Apple Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 40 minutes.
- Showstopper Presentation: Glossy red finish wows guests.
- Festival Flavor: Brings the fair to your kitchen.
Tips for Candy Apple Success
- Dry apples thoroughly to ensure candy sticks.
- Use a clean pan—any sugar crystals can cause crystallization.
- Work quickly when coating to prevent the candy from hardening in the pan.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 237 kcal | Carbohydrate: 63 g | Fiber: 3 g | Sugars: 47 g | Fat: 0 g | Sodium: 15 mg
Once you’ve mastered this classic candy apple, you’ll want to make it all season long—because nothing beats a homemade candy apple.
Candy Apples
These homemade candy apples feature a shiny red candy coating perfect for fall festivals and backyard gatherings.
Ingredients
Method
- Prep your apples: Remove stems and insert wooden sticks into apples. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the candy base: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and vinegar. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
- Boil to hard crack stage: Clip a candy thermometer to the pan and cook over medium heat without stirring. Let mixture reach 300°F (hard crack stage).
- Add color: Remove from heat and carefully stir in red food coloring until the syrup turns glossy and ruby red.
- Coat the apples: Holding each apple by the stick, dip into the hot candy mixture. Rotate to coat evenly, letting excess drip back into the pan.
- Cool and set: Place coated apples on the prepared baking sheet. Let them sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes, or until the candy shell is completely hardened.
- Serve and enjoy: Once set, your candy apples are ready to share and munch on!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
