Halloween Candy Apples

Turn crisp Granny Smith apples into ghoulishly glossy black treats with this simple candy coating recipe.

35 min Serves 6 Easy American

Our own summary of the original by Anjali — the full post and photos live at recipemagik.com.

These Halloween candy apples start with cleaned, skewered Granny Smith apples. A black candy coating made from sugar, water, corn syrup, vanilla, and black food coloring is heated to 300°F, then used to dip each apple. Once hardened, they're ready for a spooky snack.

Ingredients

6 medium sized Granny Smith Apples (cleaned and wax removed)

2 cups Granulated Sugar

1 cup water

½ cup Corn syrup

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Black Gel Food Color

wooden skewers or natural branches

Directions

Rinse 6 Granny Smith apples and pat them dry with a towel. Remove the stems. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper with butter. Using a metal straw, poke a hole through the top of each apple, then insert a wooden skewer or natural branch.

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 2 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Once the sugar begins to dissolve, stir in ½ cup corn syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon black gel food coloring. Let the mixture come to a slow boil over low heat; do not stir while it's boiling. Near the end, dip a spatula in water and use it to stir once to dislodge any sugar crystals from the pan's bottom. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature—it should reach 300°F.

Carefully remove the saucepan from heat. Dip each apple into the candy coating, turning to coat evenly, then place the coated apple on the prepared baking sheet.

Continue dipping the remaining apples. Allow the candy coating to harden completely before serving.