Candy Apples are a classic, nostalgic treat that brings back memories of fairs, festivals, and Halloween. With their glossy, vibrant candy coating and a tart, juicy apple underneath, these sweet apples are a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re making them for a fall celebration, a party, or just as a fun homemade treat, candy apples are as fun to make as they are to eat. The crisp apple contrasts beautifully with the sticky, sweet candy coating, making every bite a satisfying and festive indulgence.
The process of making this dessert is simple but requires a bit of attention to detail. First, you’ll need firm, tart apples like Granny Smiths, which offer a great contrast to the sugary coating. After washing and drying the apples, a wooden stick is inserted into the top of each apple, making them easy to hold. The candy coating is made by boiling sugar, corn syrup, water, and a touch of food coloring (for that bright, red hue) until it reaches the right temperature. Once it’s ready, the apples are dipped into the candy mixture, coating them completely. The result is a crunchy, shiny candy shell that hardens quickly as it cools.
Candy apples can be customized in many ways. While the classic version is red, you can experiment with different colors and flavors. Try green candy coating for a festive twist or add flavorings like cinnamon or caramel to the syrup for extra depth. For an even more indulgent treat, roll the coated apples in chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crushed cookies, adding texture and variety to each bite.
Candy Apples are not just a sweet treat – they’re also visually striking. Their glossy, bright candy coating makes them a showstopper at any party or gathering. They make for a great DIY project with kids, turning the process of creating the treat into part of the fun.
Whether you’re serving them at a Halloween party, making them for a family treat, or gifting them as a homemade present, Candy Apples are a sweet, festive indulgence that everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients
- 6 pieces apples Preferably Granny Smith or any tart variety
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon Red food coloring Optional, for color
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. Remove any stems and insert a wooden stick into each apple.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer. If using, add the red food coloring.
- Quickly dip each apple into the hot candy mixture, twisting to coat evenly. Let any excess drip off.
- Place the coated apples on a greased baking sheet or a silicone mat to cool and harden.
delious
Never cooked with corn syrup before… wasn’t sure if I did it right. They turned out okay tho.
Just rate
This is just sugar on apples. I prefer them plain.
But the candy coating makes it fun! Plain apples are so boring. 😄
Apples good.
These candy apples turned out amazing! My kids loved them!
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Sounds complicated! Is it really worth the effort for just candy apples? I usually just buy them.
I dunno, I tried this and it was too sweet for me. I think 2 cups of sugar is a lot!
I get what you mean! Maybe try reducing the sugar next time? Or use less apples to balance it out. 🍏
Too sweet? Come on! It’s a candy apple, not a vegetable! 😂
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Wow, this recipe sounds really fun! Can’t wait to try making these with my kids.
Sounds good, but isn’t 300°F too hot? I thought sugar burned at high temps. 🤔
I was skeptical because I’ve tried making candy apples before and they never turned out. But this recipe worked for me! Just make sure to watch the thermometer closely.
Candy apples? More like sticky mess! Had a hard time getting them off the tray. 😩
Did you know red dye can be made from bugs? Just sayin’. Anyway, these tasted great!
The red dye ain’t good for you. Why not just make them without it?
Delicious but super messy. I will try it again though.
Candy coating taste good! Nice and crunchy. Yummy!
Never made candy apples before but this recipe was easy to follow. A bit sticky tho, be careful! Maybe next time less syrup?
Honestly, this is way too much sugar for just apples. Can’t we just eat the apples? 😂
My apples didn’t harden! What did I do wrong?
I think you might’ve stirred it too much? Candy making is tricky…
Did you let it reach the right temperature? 300°F is key for hardening!
I had a hard time getting the thermometer to 300°F. Is there any other way to tell?
Cool recipe! I didn’t have any candy thermometer tho, just winged it. Apples taste fine!
But how do you know it was cooked right without a thermometer? Isn’t that risky? You could burn yourself!
That’s awesome! Sometimes you just gotta trust your instincts! Glad the apples turned out well!
5 stars!!! They look amazing! Gonna give these a try for Halloween!
Super delicious! I added some sprinkles on top after the candy cools. So festive!
That sounds amazing! I bet the sprinkles made them look even prettier. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Sprinkles? I dunno, might be too much for candy apples. Just seems wrong to me.
Ugh, my candy mixture never hardened! What did I do wrong?? 😭
These turned out amazing! My kids loved them, thank you!
Does anyone know if I can use green apples instead? 🤔
Instructions was easy to follow! Thanx for sharing! 😊
Too much sugar in da recipe. Next time I will use half the sugar!
I actually love the sweetness! But hey, you do you. Less sugar might work too.
So good, but my friends said I took too long to serve them.
Just a heads up: if you don’t have a candy thermometer, you might burn your sugar. I did. Not fun.
These candy apples are so easy! I made them for my kids and they loved it. Thanks for the recipe!
Easy? Really? Mine turned out all gooey and messy. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure if I’ll try again.
I’m so glad to hear that! Candy apples are a classic treat. Did you try any other toppings?
I made these for a Halloween party and they were a hit! Super easy to follow the instructions.
Mine turned out way too hard! I think I let it boil too long. 😩 Be careful with the temp!
I think the sugar ratio is off. I added too much sugar and it was just thick goo. Pls check!
I had the same issue! The sugar can definitely get too thick if you add too much. Just use the measurements in the recipe next time, it helps!
I love candy apples! They remind me of my childhood fairs. Your recipe is just perfect! Thanks!
Easy peasy, but I burned my fingers. Be careful lol! 🔥
Made them with my kids. They’re kinda messy but so fun! Messy is good, right? LOL!
I don’t know, messy can be a pain to clean up. But they do taste good! 🤷♂️
Messy is definitely good! It just means you’re having a blast! 🍏🍭
Yum!!! But too much sugar for my taste. I think I’ll try less next time!
Yeah, sugar can be overpowering! Maybe you could swap a bit of the sugar for honey? Just a thought!
I dunno, I think it’s just fine as is! Candy apples supposed to be sweet, right?
I don’t understand why we need corn syrup in candy. It’s just sugar, right? I used honey instead, tasted weird.
I don’t get why people love candy apples so much. They’re just sugar on fruit. 🤷♂️
These were a hit at the Halloween party! Super easy to make and so fun to eat! 🍏🍬