# Components:
→ Apples
01 - 8 small apples such as Gala or Fuji, or 16 crabapples
→ Candy Coating
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup light corn syrup
04 - 1/2 cup water
05 - 1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring
→ Assembly
06 - 16 wooden sticks, lollipop or popsicle style
07 - Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper
# Method:
01 - Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. If using large apples, cut each in half and scoop out the seeds with a small melon baller. Insert a wooden stick firmly into the stem end of each apple or apple half.
02 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease, or spray a silicone mat with nonstick spray.
03 - In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
04 - Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Cook until it reaches 290°F on a candy thermometer indicating hard crack stage, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
05 - Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully stir in the red gel food coloring until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
06 - Working quickly, dip each apple into the hot candy coating, swirling to coat evenly. Let the excess drip off, then place the apple on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Let the candy apples cool completely at room temperature until the coating hardens, approximately 10 minutes.
08 - Serve immediately and enjoy your finished candy apples.
