Description
This candy apple recipe features a brilliant ruby shell with a sparkling cinnamon finish, offering a delightful crunch that is both visually stunning and delicious. It is an easy, family-friendly recipe perfect for a special dessert or festive fall project.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium-sized apples (about 1.75 lbs/790g), firm, crisp varieties (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
- 0.5 cup light corn syrup (120ml)
- 1 cup water (240ml)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 0.5 teaspoon edible red glitter, mixed (Cinnamon Sparkle)
- 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring (or liquid equivalent)
Instructions
- Prep Apples: Wash and thoroughly dry the 6 apples. Remove stems and carefully insert sturdy candy apple sticks into the core, about two-thirds of the way down.
- Make Syrup: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, 0.5 cup light corn syrup, and 1 cup water. Heat on medium, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves and the liquid is clear (5-7 minutes).
- Add Color & Flavor: Once the mixture begins to boil, add 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring and an optional dash of cinnamon extract. Do not stir after boiling; swirl the pot gently to distribute color.
- Reach Temperature: Continue to cook the syrup without stirring, monitoring with a reliable candy thermometer, until it reaches 300-310°F (149-154°C), the hard crack stage (20-30 minutes).
- Dip Apples: Remove the saucepan from heat. Carefully tilt the pan to pool the syrup. Holding an apple by its stick, dip it into the hot syrup, rotating quickly to coat completely. Let any excess syrup drip back into the pan for 5-10 seconds.
- Sparkle Finish: Immediately after dipping each apple, generously sprinkle it with the mixed Cinnamon Sparkle while the coating is still warm and sticky, ensuring even coverage within 10 seconds of dipping.
- Set: Place the finished candy apples on a sheet pan lined with lightly greased parchment paper to cool and harden completely at room temperature (30-60 minutes).
Notes
Ensure apples are thoroughly dry before dipping; any moisture prevents the candy from adhering. If the candy does not reach the correct temperature, the shell will not shatter; continue cooking until the thermometer reads correctly. For extra shine, mix more edible glitter into your Cinnamon Sparkle. Smaller apples can be chosen for portion control.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy apple (150 g)
- Calories: 450 calories
- Sugar: 75 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 95 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg