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.
- Remove all wax from your apples by dipping each in boiling water for 5 seconds, then scrub dry.
- In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently just until moistened.
- Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, ensuring the tip is submerged but not touching the bottom.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a full rolling boil without stirring.
- Continue boiling until the candy thermometer reads between 300°F and 310°F (149°C–154°C) — this is the hard crack stage.
- Remove the pan from heat immediately once it hits 300°F. Stir in gel food coloring and cinnamon extract if using.
- Tilt the saucepan to one side so the syrup pools deeply in one corner. Dip and rotate each apple to coat completely.
- Place each coated apple stick-side up on the prepared baking sheet and allow to cool completely at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
Notes
- Ensure the syrup reaches 300°F for a hard coating.
- Wait 1 to 2 full minutes after removing from heat before dipping to avoid bubbles.
- Remove wax from apples to ensure coating sticks properly.
- Store at room temperature, uncovered or loosely wrapped. Best consumed within 1 to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Calories: 271
- Sugar: 65
- Sodium: 3
- Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 71
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: quick desserts easy, candy apple recipe, homemade candy apples, easy candy apple recipe, Halloween candy apples