When fall arrives and that first leaf hits the ground, you need to make candied apples! Just like the apples you would always get at your local fair, they’re the best bite of the season and made with just a few pantry ingredients! They’re sweet, tart, and totally fun. They’re super easy to make in about 30 minutes as well.
It’s only summertime, but I was craving a fall treat. This was so easy to make. The only equipment it required was a candy thermometer. This is essential to have. Not only will it make your candy apple-making accurate, but it will help in any other candy-making process you have! You can’t use a regular thermometer because candy thermometers are also deep-fry thermometers, and measure a wide range of temperatures, making them useful for achieving the right consistency in confections like caramels, brittles, spun sugar, and sugar syrups.
Fun fact about candied apples: They were first created in Newark, New Jersey by William W. Kolb in 1908 using red hot candies. Back then, candy apples have traditionally taken on a cinnamon flavor, but over the years, it’s become popular to simply use a little red food coloring.
Just be careful when biting into these apples! If you’ve had one before, then you know it isn’t easy. I never had one, so I had a hard time! So I gave up and cut it into slices. With that being said, I am not responsible for any broken teeth that happen while trying to eat this apple.
How to make Candied Apples
This requires few ingredients but needs a candy thermometer. The rest is super easy and takes barely any time at all. The only time is waiting!
- Red or Green Apples: I used McIntosh apples for this. They’re juicy and tart, which paired well with the hardened candy. You can use any apple though!
- Lollipop or Popsicle Sticks: Used to stick into the apple
- Sugar
- Light Corn Syrup: I used Karo. It’s recommended by America’s Test Kitchen, so of course, I need to stand by their word!
- Water
- Red Food Coloring
Wash and dry the apples. Apples often come with a waxy coating, which will prevent the candy from sticking. Look at the tips & faqs for info. Insert the lollipop sticks or popsicles (whatever you chose) where the stem is so that they are firmly in the apple. Set the apples aside on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil and cook until the candy thermometer reaches 300F. Remove it from the heat and carefully stir in the food coloring. It may splash back, so be careful. You may have to add more food coloring depending on the quality and strength of the coloring. Carefully dip the apples one by one into the candy mixture, swirling to coat them thoroughly and allow any excess to drip back into the pan. Transfer the apples to the parchment-lined baking sheet and allow them to cool until the candy has fully hardened, about 10-15 minutes.
Tips & FAQs
- How to remove the wax from the apples: As stated, most apples come with a waxy coating. This is common because the waxy layer prevents moisture in the apple from escaping, its loss shortens the storage time for the fruit. However, you don’t want that on the apple for this. To remove the wax: Boil 6 cups of water with 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar. Quickly dip the apples in the boiling water for 5 seconds then dry them well. The candy will now stick!
- Storage: These can be stored in the refrigerator, but it’s best to eat them within 24-48 hours.
- Can I add any flavorings to the candied apples? It’s easy to add flavoring to the sugar mixture. Just add 1/2 tsp of any flavoring, depending on how many you’re making. I’d say add 1/2 tsp for every 6 apples.
- Why are my candy apples sticky? The sugar coating your candy apples will get sticky over time as they absorb moisture from the air. The other thing could be that you didn’t cook the sugar to 300F.
- Why are there bubbles on my candy apples? The only reason for this is that you did not wash the wax off of the apples. Make sure you wash your apples really well to remove all the wax from the surface of the apples, dry them really well and dip them the day after you wash them.
Want the recipe? Click print below! Let me know how it came out for you by tagging me on Instagram (@missravenskitchen) and using #missravenskitchen! Follow my Facebook page for updates as well! Let me know if I need to tweak anything.
Candied Apples
Ingredients
- 6 red or green apples
- 6 lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 8 drops of red food coloring or more depending on the coloring
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. (See notes) Insert the sticks into the apple where the stem is so they are firmly in the apple and you can pick up the apple without it sliding off. Set the apples aside on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper spray with nonstick spray.
- Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil and cook until the candy thermometer reaches 300F. Remove it from the heat and carefully stir in the food coloring. It may splash back, so be careful. You may have to add more food coloring depending on the quality and strength of the coloring.
- Carefully dip the apples one by one into the candy mixture, swirling to coat them thoroughly and allow any excess to drip back into the pan. Transfer the apples to the parchment-lined baking sheet and allow them to cool until the candy has fully hardened, about 10-15 minutes.
Notes
* As stated, most apples come with a waxy coating. This is common because the waxy layer prevents moisture in the apple from escaping, its loss shortens the storage time for the fruit. However, you don’t want that on the apple for this. To remove the wax: Boil 6 cups of water with 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar. Quickly dip the apples in the boiling water for 5 seconds then dry them well. The candy will now stick!
** If the candy gets too hard during the dipping part, just reheat it over medium heat and continue coating the apples.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
404.92Fat (grams)
0.56Sat. Fat (grams)
0.05Carbs (grams)
106.07Fiber (grams)
4.37Net carbs
101.7Sugar (grams)
100.01Protein (grams)
0.47Sodium (milligrams)
14.23Cholesterol (grams)
0
Miss Raven's Kitchen 
Leave a comment