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    Home » Desserts » Easy Candy Apple Recipe

    Easy Candy Apple Recipe

    Published: Oct 22, 2021 · Modified: Oct 23, 2021 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy candy apple recipe is made with apples and just a few simple ingredients. Candy apples are very easy to make and can be made in different colors or flavors.

    Candy apple on a white plate.

    Candy apples are a classic fall and Halloween treat! This easy candy apple recipe is made with apples and just a few simple ingredients like granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water.

    The look and flavor of homemade candy apples can easily be adjusted the according to your tastes.

    What is the difference between candy apples and caramel apples?

    Candy apples have a hard candy coating on the outside of the apple. Caramel apples are coated with a melted caramel coating.

    Ingredients for candy apples.

    Ingredients

    • Apples - use sweet or tart apples (like Granny Smith apples). Either will work, so use what you like.
    • Granulated sugar - Regular granulated sugar, not raw sugar, works best in this recipe.
    • Light corn syrup - The small amount of corn syrup helps to prevent crystallization.
    • Food coloring

    How to make candy apples

    Water corn syrup and sugar in a saucepan.

    Push a popsicle stick or bamboo stick about halfway into the center through the top of the apple. Set aside. 

    Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper, or a nonstick (silicone) baking mat. Generously grease paper or baking mat with nonstick cooking spray.

    Add the sugar, corn syrup, and water to a large saucepan. Stir until well-combined.

    Red food coloring stirred into candy mixture.

    Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring regularly. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium. 

    Stir in the food coloring and flavoring, if using. 

    Candy thermometer in a pan of boiling candy mixture.

    Continue to boil until the mixture reaches hard crack stage, 300-310 F, about 15-20 minutes. 

    Remove from the heat.

    Apple dipped in candy mixture.

     Quickly but carefully dip the apples in the hot sugar coating. Let the excess drip back off.

    Candy apple on a silicone baking mat.

    Place on the prepared baking sheet, and let apples cool completely.

    Variations

    • Color: Candy apples can be made in all sorts of colors. Feel free to use another color of food coloring in place of the red.
    • Cinnamon: Add about ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or ¼ teaspoon cinnamon flavoring make a cinnamon coating.
    • Flavors: Feel free to use other flavorings instead of cinnamon. Mix and match flavor ideas include purple food coloring with grape flavoring or red food coloring with strawberry flavoring.
    Hand lifting up a candy apple off of a white plate.

    Top tips

    >> Be sure to wash the apples before using them. If the apples have a wax coating, briefly dip the apples in boiling water (after placing the stick in the apple). The boiling water will help the wax to dissolve and help the coating to stick. Let the apple dry completely before continuing.

    >>Use a candy thermometer. It's important that the sugar mixture reach hard crack stage. Otherwise, the sugar mixture won't set up properly.

    Candy apple with a slice missing.

    How to eat candy apples

    The coating on the candy apples is very hard. It's easiest to eat a candy apple by cutting it into pieces or slices.

    Storage

    It's best to store any leftover candy apples in the fridge. They will keep for about 2 days when properly stored.

    More fall treats!

    • M&M Caramel Apples
    • Cinnamon Apples
    • Easy Baked Apples

    If you’ve tried this easy candy apple recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Candy apple on a white plate.

    Candy Apples

    Easy recipe to make homemade candy apples.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 319kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Equipment

    • Saucepan

    Ingredients

    • 4 medium apples
    • Popsicle sticks or bamboo apple sticks
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    • 6 tablespoons water
    • ¼ teaspoon red food coloring
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon flavor

    Instructions

    • Push a popsicle stick or bamboo stick about halfway into the center through the top of the apple. Set aside.
    • Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper, or a nonstick baking mat.
    • Generously coat paper or baking mat with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Add the sugar, corn syrup, and water to a large saucepan.
    • Stir until well-combined.
    • Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring regularly.
    • When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium.
    • Stir in the food coloring and flavoring, if using.
    • Continue boiling until the mixture reaches hard crack stage, 300-310 F, about 15-20 minutes.
    • Remove from the heat.
    • Quickly but carefully dip the apples in the hot sugar coating.
    • Place on the prepared baking sheet and let cool completely.

    Notes

    • Apples - use sweet or tart apples. Either will work, so use what you like.
    • Granulated sugar - Regular granulated sugar, not raw sugar, works best in this recipe.
    • Light corn syrup - The small amount of corn syrup helps to prevent crystallization.
    • Food coloring - Feel free to use different colors. Check out the notes above for changing the color or flavor of the apples. 
    • Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 77g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Holly

      February 15, 2022 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe! The apples were really easy to make.

      Reply
      • Kate

        February 15, 2022 at 11:45 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Anien

      November 02, 2021 at 7:03 pm

      Very nice

      Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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