Description
This ultimate candy apple recipe delivers perfectly crisp, glossy candy-coated apples with a satisfying crunch every time. Ideal for holidays, parties, or festive treats, these homemade candy apples are simple to make yet visually stunning and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- Food coloring (gel or liquid)
- 4–6 lollipop sticks or wooden skewers
- Optional: cotton candy for decoration
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the apples, removing any wax coating.
- Insert lollipop sticks firmly into the stem end of each apple.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
- Boil until the syrup reaches 300–310°F (hard crack stage).
- Remove from heat and let bubbles subside for 2 minutes.
- Carefully stir in food coloring until desired color is achieved.
- Dip each apple into the syrup, rotating to coat evenly.
- Allow excess syrup to drip off, then place apples on parchment paper.
- Decorate with cotton candy if desired while coating is warm.
- Let apples cool completely at room temperature until hardened.
Notes
Use a candy thermometer for accuracy and avoid stirring once boiling begins. Store candy apples at room temperature and avoid refrigeration to prevent stickiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Candy Making
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy apple
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 78g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 90g
- Fiber: 3.5g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: candy apple recipe, homemade candy apples, carnival candy apples