Description

This candy apple recipe gives you a perfectly glossy, hard-crack sugar coating that shatters cleanly on the first bite — every single time. Made with just 5 pantry ingredients and ready in 30 minutes, these classic homemade candy apples bring back every carnival and Halloween memory you have.

Ingredients

Scale

6 medium apples, firm variety — Granny Smith or Fuji strongly recommended
2 cups (400g) granulated white sugar
1/2 cup (120ml) light corn syrup
3/4 cup (180ml) water
1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract or flavoring oil (optional)
6 wooden candy apple sticks or sturdy lollipop sticks
Non-stick cooking spray
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat

Instructions

Set up your workspace: line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Have your sticked apples ready.
Remove all wax from your apples by dipping each in boiling water for 5 seconds, then scrub dry. Insert a wooden stick into each apple.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir just until moistened. Clip a candy thermometer to the pan.
Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a full boil without stirring. Wipe down any sugar crystals clinging to the sides.
Continue boiling until the thermometer reads between 300°F and 310°F. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove from heat at 300°F. Stir in food coloring and cinnamon extract. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for bubbles to subside.
Tilt the saucepan to pool syrup in one corner. Dip each apple one at a time, letting excess drip back for 3 to 4 seconds. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Allow to cool completely at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Ensure syrup reaches 300°F for a hard coating.
Wait for bubbles to settle before dipping.
Remove wax from apples to allow coating to stick.
Store at room temperature and avoid refrigeration.
Use vinegar or lemon juice if you want to make candy apples without corn syrup.
Choose firm apples like Granny Smith for the best results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 candy apple
Calories: 271
Sugar: 65
Sodium: 3
Fat: 1
Saturated Fat: 0
Unsaturated Fat: 1
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 71
Fiber: 4
Protein: 1
Cholesterol: 0

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