Description
Sunset Glow Candy Apples bring a vibrant, sweet crunch to any day. Learn my easy, tried-and-true method for this nostalgic, colorful autumn treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- Apple Base:
- 8 medium firm apples (Granny Smith or Fuji)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for apple prep)
- Candy Coating:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp gel red food coloring
- 1/4 tsp gel yellow food coloring
- Flavor Boosters (Optional):
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Equipment & Prep:
- 8 wooden skewers or candy apple sticks
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cooking spray (optional, for parchment)
Instructions
- Prep Your Apples:: First things first, get those apples ready. Wash them really, really well to remove any waxy coating. I usually give them a good scrub with warm water and a little vinegar, then dry them completely. And I mean bone-dry! Any moisture means your candy won’t stick, and trust me, I’ve had that happen. Then, carefully insert a wooden skewer or candy apple stick into the stem end of each apple. This is where you want to be firm but gentle, so you don’t split the apple. It’s the foundation for your beautiful Sunset Glow Candy Apples.
- Combine Candy Ingredients:: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine your granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Give it a good stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Don’t go crazy stirring once it starts boiling, though; that can cause crystallization, and we want that smooth, clear candy. I remember one time, I stirred too much, and my candy turned grainy. Oops! Just let it do its thing, watch it bubble and transform, that’s the magic happening for your Sunset Glow Candy Apples.
- Reach the Right Temperature:: Now, this is the crucial part, honey! Attach a candy thermometer to the side of your saucepan, making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and cook it, without stirring, until it reaches precisely 300-310°F (149-154°C). This is the “hard crack” stage, where your candy will be perfectly brittle. If it doesn’t get hot enough, your candy will be sticky. If it goes too high, it’ll burn. I’ve ruined a few batches by not paying attention to the thermometer, so keep an eye on it!
- Add Your Colors and Flavor:: Once your candy mixture hits that perfect temperature, remove it from the heat immediately. Stir in your red and yellow gel food coloring. I like to start with more red and just a few drops of yellow to get that gorgeous orange-red, like a real sunset. If you’re using vanilla extract, stir that in now too. Be careful, the mixture is super hot! This is where your Sunset Glow Candy Apples really start to come to life, visually. The aroma is pretty sweet too, honestly.
- Dip the Apples:: Working quickly (because that candy cools fast!), tilt your saucepan slightly. Dip each prepared apple into the candy mixture, rotating it to fully coat the apple. Let any excess drip off back into the pan. I usually twirl it a bit to get a nice, even coating. Don’t let it get too thick, we want that crisp shell, not a clunky one. This step always feels a bit like an art project, trying to get that perfect, glossy finish on each of your Sunset Glow Candy Apples.
- Cool and Set:: As soon as each apple is coated, place it on a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat that you’ve lightly greased (or not, if using silicone). Let them cool completely at room temperature until the candy is hard and shiny. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Resist the urge to touch them until they’re fully set; you don’t want fingerprints on your beautiful creations! When they’re done, they should look like little jewels, just like the sunset. These Sunset Glow Candy Apples are a triumph!