Colorful Candied Apples Food

EASY HOMEMADE CANDY APPLES

Steps:

• Wash and thoroughly dry the apples (See Kelly's Notes below). Insert the lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks so that they are firmly positioned in the apples. Set the apples aside on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper coated with cooking spray.
• Combine the sugar, corn syrup and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil and cook the mixture until a candy thermometer reaches 300ºF (the hard crack stage).
• Remove the candy mixture from the heat and carefully stir in the red food coloring. (It may splash, so stand back. And you may have to add more than the designated 1/2 teaspoon, depending on the quality and strength of your food coloring.)
• One by one, carefully dip the apples into the candy mixture, swirling to coat them thoroughly and allowing any excess to drip back into the pan. Transfer the coated apples to the prepared cookie sheet and allow them to cool until the candy has fully hardened.

CANDIED APPLES II

Steps:

• Lightly grease cookie sheets. Insert craft sticks into whole, stemmed apples.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Heat to 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads. Remove from heat and stir in food coloring.
• Holding apple by its stick, dip in syrup and remove and turn to coat evenly. Place on prepared sheets to harden.

CANDY APPLES

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.

OLD-FASHIONED RED CANDIED APPLES

Steps:

• Mix 1st 3 ingredients in saucepan.
• Put on high heat with candy thermometer positioned in center of fluid level.
• While it is boiling, thoroughly wash and dry your apples, and spear with the sticks.
• Boil mixture until reaches hard crack (300ºF), then immediately add red food coloring and stir.
• Quickly immediately dip the apples, twisting to cover, and set on a greased cookie sheet.

BLACK CANDY APPLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment, and lightly brush parchment with butter. Combine sugar, water, corn syrup, and food coloring in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-high. Boil until syrup reaches 300 degrees to 310 degrees (hard-crack stage) on a candy thermometer, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, insert a wooden dowel into the stem end of each apple, pushing halfway down. When syrup reaches desired temperature, immediately remove from heat. Working quickly, dip apples, 1 at a time, in caramel to coat. Transfer to baking sheet; let cool. Candy apples can be made up to 4 hours ahead; keep at room temperature until ready to serve.

BLACK-HEARTED CANDY APPLES

Steps:

• Wash and thoroughly dry apples; remove stems. Insert wooden pop sticks into apples. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet; set aside., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 290° (soft-crack stage)., Remove from the heat and pour into 2 small bowls. Stir 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and red food coloring into 1 bowl; stir black food coloring and remaining cinnamon into other bowl., Working quickly, dip 2 apples into red sugar mixture and 2 apples into black sugar mixture to completely coat. Place on prepared baking sheet; let stand until set.