Add color and crunch to your holiday table with a simple recipe for Easy Homemade Candy Apples.
Have you ever tried to bite into a candy apple?
I don’t think it’s humanly possible.
And after whipping up a dozen of them last weekend, I’m even more convinced it’s just one of those foods that doesn’t make sense—like naming miniature candy bars as “fun-size.” There’s nothing fun about having less candy.
But with Halloween right around the corner, I couldn’t resist trying my hand at the homemade version of one of fall’s classic desserts. It turns out giving my friends candy apples was more of a trick than a treat, as I handed them out then enjoyed the hilarious scene that ensued.
Their teeth were slipping and sliding across the slick red surface like tennis shoes on an ice skating rink. Eventually my caveman instincts kicked in. Me use knife. Me cut apple. Me eat apple in slices.
After tripping leaping over the practicality hurdle, we enjoyed slice after slice of the sweet and crunchy snack-on-a-stick. My sister, ever the attorney, suggested I include a legal disclaimer with this recipe stating that I am not responsible for any injuries and/or broken teeth caused by the candy apples.
But I, being the glass-is-half-full kinda gal that I am, like to think of them as a dessert that’s simply keeping dentists around the world in business.
And for all those with a love for this confection’s culinary cousin, check out my recipe for Easy Caramel Apples!
And for all those joining in my fall dessert frenzy, don’t miss additional classic and creative recipes.
Ingredients
- 12 small red or green apples (any variety)
- 12 lollipop or popsicle sticks
- 3 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
- Equipment: candy thermometer
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the apples (See Kelly’s Notes below). Insert the lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks so that they are firmly positioned in the apples. Set the apples aside on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper coated with cooking spray.
- Combine the sugar, corn syrup and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil and cook the mixture until a candy thermometer reaches 300ºF (the hard crack stage).
- Remove the candy mixture from the heat and carefully stir in the red food coloring. (It may splash, so stand back. And you may have to add more than the designated ½ teaspoon, depending on the quality and strength of your food coloring.)
- One by one, carefully dip the apples into the candy mixture, swirling to coat them thoroughly and allowing any excess to drip back into the pan. Transfer the coated apples to the prepared cookie sheet and allow them to cool until the candy has fully hardened.
Kelly’s Notes:
- Apples often come with a waxy coating, which will prevent the candy from sticking to the surface. To remove the wax, simply boil 6 cups water with 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Quickly dip the apples in the boiling mixture for 5 seconds then thoroughly dry them. The candy will stick in an instant!
- If the candy mixture gets too hard during the dipping process, simply re-heat it over medium heat and continue coating the apples.
- Serving the apples in colorful cupcake wrappers is a fun way to jazz up your Halloween party spread.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
My mother in law printed your recipe. We Made the candy apples the other day with your recipe . It was delicious we added a bit of tajin powder to it it was super good. Thanks for the recipe i never was a big fan of candy apples till i made them . Good job on the recipe
Love reading this, Elisa!
How far in advance can you make them? How do you store them?
Hi Anna! You can make them up to a week in advance and store them at room temperature, uncovered.
I was sure I was gonna mess it up the first time cuz I always do with any recipe. But this tutorial was straightforward and I managed to make perfect candy apples on the first try. The thermometer is crucial as well as boiling the apples to remove wax.
My husband had cut up candy apples on a trip we took and it’s not usually sold cut into pieces. But now he is happy with his homemade cut candy apples.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Can I use golden corn syrup instead of light corn syrup?
Can I add cinnamon with the sugar to give it that spice?
Has anyone ever done this and did it work?
Hi Lisette! I haven’t tried these substitutions so I’m not sure.
GREAT recipe.
I made this with my after school care class. They loved it and their parents were happy aswell.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Gabriella!
The minute it wasn’t easy to coat the apples I just placed the pot back in the stove for a few minutes. I added cinnamon flavor. Amazingly easy to make! Thank you!
Love reading this, Brent!