Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples (or any tart apple)
- 6 wooden candy apple sticks
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
- Food coloring: pastel blue & pastel pink (gel-based preferred)
- Candy thermometer
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
Prepare the Apples
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Remove stems and insert wooden sticks firmly into the tops. Place apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet sprayed lightly with nonstick spray.
Make the Candy Coating
- In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently until sugar dissolves.
- Attach a candy thermometer and bring the mixture to 300°F (hard crack stage) without stirring. This takes about 10-12 minutes.
Add Flavor & Colors
- Once at 300°F, immediately remove from heat and stir in cotton candy flavoring.
- Quickly divide the syrup into two heatproof bowls. Add blue food coloring to one and pink food coloring to the other. Stir each separately.
Create the Swirl Effect
- Carefully pour the blue syrup back into the pink syrup, but do NOT mix completely—just let them swirl naturally.
- Dip each apple, twirling it gently in the candy mixture to create a swirled effect. Let excess drip off.
Set the Candy Apples
- Place dipped apples on the prepared parchment paper and let them set at room temperature for about 20 minutes until hard.
Notes
- If the candy hardens before you finish, reheat gently over low heat until it becomes liquid again.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant, non-watery colors.
- For an extra magical touch, sprinkle edible glitter on the candy while it’s still wet.
- Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 apple
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 65g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg