Description
Create a fun, colorful treat with these vibrant candy apples coated in a glossy, homemade candy syrup and topped with fluffy cotton candy. Perfect for parties or festive occasions, these enticing apples combine a classic sweet crunch with a whimsical cotton candy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 medium apples
- Lollipop sticks or wooden skewers
Candy Coating
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- Food coloring (any colors of your choice)
Decoration
- 1 bag of cotton candy (various colors)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Wash and dry the apples thoroughly to remove any wax or residues to ensure the candy coating will stick well. Firmly insert a lollipop stick or wooden skewer into the top center of each apple, making sure it is secure enough to hold the apple’s weight during dipping.
- Make Candy Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, water, and light corn syrup. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Add Food Coloring: Remove the saucepan from heat once the syrup is boiling. Stir in a few drops of food coloring to achieve your desired vibrant candy colors.
- Coat Apples: Allow the colored syrup to cool slightly for about one minute so it thickens a little, which will help it coat the apples evenly. Carefully dip each apple into the syrup, rotating it to fully cover the surface with the glossy candy coating.
- Cool and Set Apples: Place the candy-coated apples on parchment paper or a non-stick surface. Let them cool and set completely for about 15 to 20 minutes until the candy layer hardens.
- Add Cotton Candy: Once the candy coating is fully hardened, gently wrap a handful of colorful cotton candy around the top of each apple. This adds a whimsical, fluffy decoration to the classic candy apple.
Notes
- Make sure apples are completely dry before dipping to help the candy coating stick better.
- Use a candy thermometer if possible; the syrup should reach the hard crack stage (~300°F or 149°C) for best coating results.
- Work quickly when dipping apples as the syrup hardens fast once off the heat.
- Store finished candy apples at room temperature and consume within 1-2 days for best flavor and texture.
- Choose firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a nice balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: candy apples, cotton candy, colorful candy coating, festive treats, homemade candy syrup, sweet apples
