It's like the state fair in your own kitchen: Candy Apples

Everyone has fond childhood memories of visiting the state fair and all the forbidden foods you find there. From elephant ears to deep-fried Oreos, it's an ocean of choices to satisfy your sweet tooth. But sometimes it's the simplest treats that make us the most nostalgic. Who wouldn't like to take a trip back in time and bite into an old-fashioned candy apple?

You would probably never think of making them at home... but now you can. All you need is a little (ok, a lot of) sugar, some food coloring, and of course, your favorite kind of apple. As you'll see here, you can even dress them up for Christmas!

You will need (for 3 servings):

  • 3 medium to large apples
  • 3 wooden sticks
  • 2 1/4 cups sugar
  • 5 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp red food coloring

Here's how:

  1. Wash the apples, remove the stems, and rub them dry. Insert the wooden stick where the stem was. 
  2. Heat the water, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan and allow it to caramelize. If you have a cooking thermometer, you should aim for 230°F. Then add the food coloring.
  3. Remove the caramel mixture from the heat and dip the apples in it one by one, turning until you achieve a consistent coating. Once any excess has dripped back into the saucepan, place each candy apple on a tray covered with parchment paper to cool. 
  4. When the candy coating is firm, you can place the candy apple in a decorative cupcake liner. 

When they're as colorful as this, they're hard to resist! Don't you think it's time for your apple a day? ;-)


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