Description
This vegan candy apple recipe gives you a perfectly glossy, hard-crack sugar coating that shatters cleanly on the first bite. Made with simple vegan-friendly ingredients, these classic homemade candy apples bring back every carnival and Halloween memory you have.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium apples, firm variety — Granny Smith (tart) or Fuji (sweet) recommended
- 2 cups (400g) granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) light corn syrup (or substitute with 1 tsp vinegar)
- 3/4 cup (180ml) water
- 1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring (vegan-friendly)
- 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: 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 by dipping them in boiling water for 5 seconds, then scrub dry with a rough kitchen towel. Insert a wooden stick into the stem end of each apple.
- In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently until the sugar is moistened and clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a full rolling boil without stirring. Use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar crystals from the sides.
- Continue boiling until the candy thermometer reads between 300°F and 310°F (149°C–154°C). This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat once it hits 300°F. Stir in the gel food coloring and cinnamon extract if using. Allow all bubbles to subside for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Tilt the saucepan to one side and dip each apple to coat completely, letting excess syrup drip back for 3 to 4 seconds. Place each coated apple stick-side up 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 candy shell.
- Wait for bubbles to settle before dipping for a smooth coating.
- Store at room temperature, uncovered or loosely wrapped, and consume within 1 to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy apple
- Calories: 271
- Sugar: 65
- Sodium: 3
- Fat: 1
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 71
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: vegan candy apple recipe, homemade vegan candy apples, easy vegan candy apple recipe, Halloween vegan candy apples, candy apple without corn syrup, hard crack vegan candy apples, glossy vegan candy apples, candy apples from scratch