Classic Red Candy Apples

# What You Need:

→ Apples

01 - 8 medium Granny Smith or Gala apples, washed and thoroughly dried

→ Candy Coating

02 - 2 cups granulated sugar

03 - 1 cup light corn syrup

04 - 1/2 cup water

05 - 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

→ Extras

06 - 8 wooden sticks

07 - Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

# Directions:

01 - Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.

02 - Insert a wooden stick firmly into the stem end of each apple and set aside.

03 - In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir to mix, then place over medium-high heat.

04 - Bring to a boil without stirring further. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.

05 - Continue boiling until the mixture reaches 300°F, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

06 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Immediately stir in the red food coloring until evenly blended.

07 - Working quickly and carefully, tilt the pan and dip each apple, turning to coat evenly. Allow excess to drip off, then place on the prepared baking sheet.

08 - Let the apples cool completely at room temperature until the candy shell hardens, approximately 15 minutes.

09 - Serve within a few hours for optimal texture and quality.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -

That addictive moment when the candy shell shatters between your teeth, giving way to crisp, juicy apple.
They look so impressive on a dessert table that people assume you spent way more time and effort than you actually did.
The whole process takes under an hour from start to finish, which means spontaneous party treats are suddenly possible.

02 -

Never walk away from the candy thermometer—the difference between perfect and burnt happens in about 30 seconds once you hit 300°F.
If the syrup gets too thick and starts hardening in the pan before you're done dipping, gently reheat it over low heat for just a minute or two to loosen it back up.

03 -