It's that season...

 Take some apples. Crisp, firm apples. These are Jonagold. I'm pretty sure anyway!

and in a short time you can turn them into Candy Apples and put a big smile on some kid's faces. It put a big smile on mine. I love candy apples. You're never too old!

Have to say I get very nervous working with a pot of molten sugar. Especially with dogs and children around. The kids were out all day, so this was a good day to surprise them, they love candy apples, so do I!

The dogs went outside in the yard. Just in case. Boiling sugar, really bubbling!  Really hot! Exercise extreme caution with this stuff!  I kept the pot in the sink while I dipped the apples, with a baking pan lined with parchment next to the sink. I had everything in place, didn't want any mishaps. I got through everything, except one small thing. One small little thing. After all the apples were done, I had only made four so there was still candy sugar left over in the pot, it spilled over into the sink. The sugar sort of glued the drain strainer thing closed. Figured hot water would melt it and I could get the drain opened. After I got done panicking because the sink was starting to fill up and that drainer thing wasn't budging. I used a measuring cup to get most of the water out, and tapped the drain thing with a hammer. It cracked the candy seal and then I needed a screwdriver to pry it up! That worked! I was way more worried about burning someone than anything else. A flood was all I needed next. But all's well that end's well!
  They couldn't have asked me to make cupcakes?

Let some of the excess drip back into the pot or you'll have a big puddle on the end of your apple. I only made four apples. No sticks in the house, so I used chopsticks left over from the sushi place. Worked great! I'll have to get more because next I see caramel apples in our future!

Candy Apples
Source: Martha Stewart, October 2005
adapted There's Always Thyme to Cook
Printable Recipe

This makes about 6 apples

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring, (optional)
or instead of food coloring, 1/2 cup of red hot cinnamon candies (optional)
6 medium apples
parchment paper

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, 3/4 cup water, corn syrup, and food coloring OR red hots, 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, remove stem from apples, 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 a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; allow to cool.

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