Description
Classic candy apples coated in a glossy, vibrant red sugar shell. Crisp green apples meet a crunchy cinnamon-flavored coating—perfect for fall parties, Halloween, or a nostalgic homemade treat.
Ingredients
- 4 green apples (e.g., Granny Smith)
- 4 wooden craft sticks
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Red food coloring
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and dry apples thoroughly. Remove stems and insert wooden sticks into the top of each apple.
- Place apples on a baking sheet and freeze for 20–30 minutes.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup. Stir until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
- Attach a candy thermometer and cook until the syrup reaches 290°F (soft-crack stage).
- Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon and red food coloring. The mixture will continue heating to about 300–305°F (hard-crack stage).
- Quickly dip each cold apple into the candy mixture, rotating to coat evenly. Let excess drip off, then roll in chopped peanuts if using. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until the coating hardens.
Notes
- Substitute cinnamon with other extracts like peppermint or maple for variation.
- Use brown sugar for a richer caramelized flavor.
- Roll in toppings like sprinkles, toffee, coconut, or mini chocolate chips.
- Change food coloring to match themes or holidays.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy apple
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 55g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
