Mini Candy Apples Sticks (Print out)

Adorable bite-sized apples coated in a crunchy candy shell, perfect for fun gatherings or snacks.

# What You'll Need:

→ Apples

01 - 8 small apples such as Gala or Fuji, or 16 crabapples

→ Candy Coating

02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup light corn syrup
04 - 1/2 cup water
05 - 1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring

→ Assembly

06 - 16 wooden sticks, lollipop or popsicle style
07 - Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper

# How to Make It:

01 - Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. If using large apples, cut each in half and scoop out the seeds with a small melon baller. Insert a wooden stick firmly into the stem end of each apple or apple half.
02 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease, or spray a silicone mat with nonstick spray.
03 - In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
04 - Increase heat to high, bring the mixture to a boil without stirring, and cook until it reaches 290°F on a candy thermometer at hard crack stage, about 8 to 10 minutes.
05 - Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully stir in the red food coloring until evenly distributed.
06 - Working quickly, dip each apple into the hot candy coating, swirling to coat evenly. Let the excess drip off, then place the apple on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Let the candy apples cool completely at room temperature until the coating hardens, about 10 minutes.
08 - Serve and enjoy the finished candy apples.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're impossibly easy to pull together, and the payoff feels way fancier than the effort suggests.
  • Kids go absolutely wild for them, and honestly, adults do too—there's something irresistible about that crunch when you bite through the candy shell.
  • The whole project is done in under an hour, making them perfect for last-minute party ideas or surprising someone special.
02 -
  • That candy mixture is dangerously hot and will stick to skin if you're not careful, so work over the pan and keep kids at a safe distance during the dipping phase.
  • If your candy starts to harden in the pan before you've dipped all your apples, set it back on low heat for just a few seconds to loosen it up again—this saved my entire batch once when I got distracted mid-project.
03 -
  • Keep your candy thermometer right at eye level so you can watch the temperature climb without having to keep leaning in; it makes the whole process less stressful and more precise.
  • If you've got someone helping you, have them place the apples on the sheet while you focus on dipping—this assembly line approach keeps everything moving smoothly and the candy at the perfect consistency.
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