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 before you start: line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Have your sticked apples ready and within reach.
- Remove all wax from your apples. Dip each apple in boiling water for 5 seconds, then scrub dry. Insert a wooden stick into each apple firmly.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently until the sugar is moistened. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil without stirring. Wipe down any sugar crystals on the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush.
- Continue boiling until the candy thermometer reads between 300°F and 310°F. This takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat immediately once it hits 300°F. Stir in the gel food coloring and cinnamon extract if using. Wait for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbles settle.
- Tilt the saucepan and dip each apple one at a time, letting excess drip back into the pan. Place each coated apple on the prepared baking sheet.
- Allow to cool completely at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the syrup reaches 300°F for a hard coating.
- Wait for bubbles to settle before dipping the apples.
- Remove wax from apples to ensure coating sticks.
- Store at room temperature, uncovered or loosely wrapped.
Nutrition
- Calories: 271
- Sugar: 65
- Sodium: 3
- Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 71
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: candy apple recipe, homemade candy apples, easy candy apple recipe, Halloween candy apples, hard crack candy apples