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!