recipe: candied apples

8-10 medium sized apples

8-10 wooden sticks

3 cups granulated sugar

1/2 C light corn syrup

1 C water

1/2 tblsp red food coloring

1/2 tblsp black food coloring

several drops cinnamon flavored oil


Directions:
1. Clean and dry the apples with a towel. If store-bought, rub to remove as much of the wax as possible—if purchased from a farmer’s market or orchard, then chances are they weren’t treated with the food grade wax that makes them shine.

2. Remove any stems or leaves and insert a stick into the top of each apple. To facilitate easier stick entry, carefully sharpen the end of the twig or use a candy stick to create a guide hole. Set apples aside once stuck.

3. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat sugar, corn syrup, and water—stir until sugar has dissolved. Boil until the mixture reaches 300°F on a candy thermometer, then remove from heat and stir in flavored oil. For a multi-color effect, pour half the mixture into another saucepan—add the red food coloring to one half and black to the other.

4. Dip one apple completely in the syrup and swirl it so that it becomes coated with the melted sugar candy. Hold the apple above the saucepan as the excess drips off.

5. With the stick facing up, place each dipped apple onto a baking sheet that was greased or is lined with a silpat.

Adam’s hints:
—if the syrup thickens or cools too much, simply reheat briefly before proceeding.
—let the apples cool completely before serving.

Comments

[Anna K]

Sounds lovely. We don't have corn syrup in England. I wonder if Golden Syrup would work instead which is treacle made from molasses? A spoonful of molasses is very good for the skin - don't think the same can be said of the sugar and the syrup though!