Holiday Candy Apples Recipes

Steps:

• Insert lollipop sticks into 4 apples, one-third of the way. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Stir together 1 1/4 cups sugar and 1/4 cup each corn syrup and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and add 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring. Continue cooking, swirling the pan but not stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 290 degrees F, about 10 minutes; remove from the heat. Immediately dip each apple into the candy, then twirl the apple over the pan to let the excess drip off. Decorate (see instructions below).
• How to Decorate
• Spun-sugar apple: Dip the apple as directed, then hold sideways over the pan, dip a fork in the candy mixture and quickly wave it all over the apple to make thin threads. Let set.
• Candy cane apple: Roll the apple in crushed candy canes immediately after dipping. Let set.
• White chocolate apple: Let the coating set, then drizzle the apple with melted white chocolate. Sprinkle with silver nonpareils.
• Coconut apple: Roll the apple in shredded coconut immediately after dipping. Let set.

Steps:

• Insert a lollipop stick or dowel into the top of 6 apples. Microwave 3 cups white candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Dip each apple into the white candy and let the excess drip off. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet; let set before decorating unless otherwise directed.
• Mummy: Attach 2 candy eyeballs to a white candy-coated apple using more candy melts. Microwave 2 marshmallows until puffed, 10 to 15 seconds. Stir until smooth; let cool slightly. Using a spoon, scoop up the marshmallow (it will stretch into a thread) and wrap it around the apple.
• Spiderweb: Microwave black candy melts until melted; transfer to a small resealable plastic bag. Snip a corner. While a white candy-coated apple is still wet, pipe a spiral onto one side with the melted black candy. Use a skewer to gently drag lines out from the center to create a web pattern. Let set.
• Cat: Snip a marshmallow in half diagonally, then trim to make 2 triangles. Press the cut sides in black sanding sugar. Attach to a white candy-coated apple using more candy melts, then attach 2 green candies for eyes. Pipe lines with black icing.
• Skeleton: Roll mini marshmallows between your thumb and index finger to make them into a bone shape. Attach the marshmallows to a white candy-coated apple in a hand formation using more candy melts.
• Werewolf: Drag a skewer across a white candy-coated apple in 3 spots to look like scratches. Fill the scratches with red gel icing.
• Ghost: Make a puddle of melted white candy melts on parchment; set a white candy-coated apple on the puddle while still wet. Let set, then pipe eyes and a mouth with black gel icing.

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; butter parchment, and set aside. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, 3/4 cup water, corn syrup, and food coloring, if using. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium-high. Insert candy thermometer and continue to boil until temperature reaches between 300 degrees and 310 degrees (hard crack stage), about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, insert a wooden stick into the top of each apple, pushing about halfway through; set aside. When mixture reaches temperature, immediately remove from heat. Working quickly, dip apples in sugar mixture until completely coated. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; allow to cool.