Go Back
+ servings
Several candy apples on a white cutting board. Plain Granny Smith apples and an orange fringed placemat in the background.
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Homemade Candy Apples

Ruby-red candy apples are made with a sweet sugar candy coating, and crisp, tart Granny Smith apples. They are a classic treat that's perfect for fall and winter!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas treats, fall treats, how to make candy apples
Servings: 8
Calories: 449kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Wash the apples under hot water, to remove any wax from the apple skin. Dry the apples, remove the stems, and refrigerate while you prepare the candy.
  • In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, honey, and water. Stir well to combine.
  • Cover the saucepan with a lid, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the candy is very bubbly, remove the lid.
  • Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan. Allow the candy to boil until it reaches 290°F, and much of the water has evaporated. This should take between 20 and 30 minutes.
  • When the candy has reached 290°F, add the red food coloring (be careful, as this will make it boil even harder for a moment).
  • When the mixture reaches 300°F, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir the candy mixture gently and allow it to cool slightly.
  • Take the apples out of the refrigerator, and push the popsicle or lollipop sticks into the stem ends.
  • Using heatproof gloves, tilt the saucepan up at an angle, and dip the apples one by one, rolling the apples in the candy all the way up to the sticks.
  • Let the excess candy drip off of the apples to create a tin candy shell. Place the apples one by one on a tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Allow to completely cool and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1candied apple | Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 118g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 207mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 111g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg