Monday, October 25, 2010

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.

22 comments:

  1. I haven't had a candy apple in a long time! Can you make one for me? :-)
    Glad you got the sink open again...I've had similar problems with bread crumbs gluing up my drain..lol

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  2. Oooh, so delightfully good!

    Its always scary to make recipes with boiling sugar. (hehehe, caramel for flan).

    Glad everything worked out, I would be frantic!

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  3. Candy apples are so pretty! I always think of Alton Brown calling boiling sugar "napalm"-very fitting:@)

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  4. Candy apples scream fall don't they. Your blog is great and I'm looking forward to many more visits. Please stop by my blog and have a visit and perhaps follow if you would like. Oh, one more thing, I am going to make the vegetable pate, it has all my favorite things in it. YUM!!

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  5. Candy apples are pretty but caramel apples are the ones I like - can't wait for that post!

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  6. Oh delicious candy apple, and the color is so vibrant!

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  7. You know, I've never made or tasted a candy apple? I love caramel so caramel apples are always the ones I make if I'm going to go through the trouble to make them. With chocolate and nuts, oh my!

    That is not funny about the drain! Glad you didn't have to call the plumber.

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  8. Only you could candy apple your drain closed!
    They look good!

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  9. These look so delicious!! I've had caramel or cinnamon apples on my list of things to make for the past few weeks. I need to make them this weekend as a Halloween treat!

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  10. I have giggled and giggled, sounds like me frying chicken livers. I love Carmel apples, candy not so much. I am still smiling.

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  11. I've always preferred the red ones to the caramel ones! Yum!

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  12. Candied apples? I have never had one...not to mention to make them at home....you are a genius!

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  13. Apples.. Apples.. my favortie fruit! your candy apple looks amazing! I have tons of apples at home and I needed a new thing to make. Your candy apple recipe is the answer.

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  14. I really love the pretty red color.. it's stunning.

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  15. Oh, I just love Candied Apples. Thanks for the recipe!

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  16. Haven't had a candied apple for years and years! I can remember eating those crunchy little guys when we were kids. I am partial to caramel apples these days. Ummmmmm good.... When are you making THEM?

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  17. I'm making apple pie.

    We're up for Wordless Wednesday:Target Is Relaxed

    http://blog.lepak.com/2010/10/wordless-wednesday-target-is-relaxed.html

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  18. Sure glad I am not the only one who has ever had a candy apple! Are they tough on the teeth??????? Sure are PURTY!!

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  19. Carol, I would love to sink my teeth into one of those lovely candy apples!

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  20. I haven't enjoyed a crispy red coated Candied Apple in years! Thanks for the memories...

    Looks so good! Yummy!

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  21. I don't think I've actually ever had a candy apple; we always go for caramel. I'd have been in a royal panic when the sink was clogged shut. Thank heavens for your good old fashioned ingenuity and a hammer!!!

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  22. I don't think I've ever had a candy apple either - I love caramel ones though ;) How do you bite through the hard coating?

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. They are fun to read and very much appreciated! Sorry for comment moderation, the spam has been overwhelming lately.

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