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Festive Candy Apples Three Ways Recipe

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3.9 from 8 reviews

This Festive Candy Apples recipe features three delightful coatings—rich caramel, classic red candy, and decadent bittersweet chocolate—perfect for holiday celebrations or gifting. Each apple is dipped and decorated with options for extra toppings, combining sweet, tangy, and chocolatey flavors into a fun, festive treat.

Ingredients

Apples

  • 12 small apples, stemmed
  • 12 popsicle sticks

Caramel Coating

  • 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup corn syrup
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

Red Candy Coating

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
  • Red food coloring (optional)

Chocolate Coating

  • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Optional Toppings

  • Chopped nuts
  • Sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Prepare Apples: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Push a popsicle stick firmly into the stem end of each apple and place them on the baking sheet. Set aside.
  2. Make Caramel Coating: In a small pot, combine brown sugar, ¼ cup corn syrup, heavy cream, butter, and kosher salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 235°F on a candy thermometer, approximately 6 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and let rest for 5 minutes for bubbles to subside.
  3. Dip Apples in Caramel: Dip 6 apples one at a time into the caramel mixture, scraping off excess caramel against the pot’s edge. Optionally roll dipped apples in toppings like nuts or sprinkles. Place them back on the baking sheet to cool.
  4. Make Red Candy Coating: In another small pot, combine granulated sugar, water, and 2 tablespoons corn syrup. Cook over medium heat without stirring until the mixture reaches 300°F, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in red food coloring if desired, and let bubbles subside for a few minutes.
  5. Dip Apples in Red Candy: Dip the remaining 6 apples one at a time in the red candy coating, scraping off excess. Immediately roll in toppings if desired and place on the baking sheet to cool.
  6. Prepare Chocolate Coating: Melt the bittersweet chocolate chips in a bowl set over simmering water or in the microwave until about 90% melted. Remove from heat and stir until fully melted and smooth.
  7. Decorate with Chocolate: Use the melted chocolate to drizzle or dip some of the caramel or candy-coated apples for an extra layer of flavor. Allow chocolate to set at room temperature or refrigerate.
  8. Serve or Package: Serve apples immediately or package them as festive gifts once fully cooled and set.

Notes

  • Use a candy thermometer to ensure accurate cooking temperatures for perfect coatings.
  • Be careful when working with hot sugar mixtures to avoid burns.
  • If desired, add nuts or sprinkles immediately after dipping before coatings harden.
  • Refrigerate chocolate-coated apples briefly to speed setting if needed.
  • Store coated apples at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 2 days.

Find it online: https://simpleplatter.com/festive-candy-apples-three-ways-recipe/