Description
A playful twist on the classic candy apple, these treats combine the crispness of fresh apples with the bold, fruity flavors of melted Jolly Ranchers. Perfect for parties, holidays, or a fun snack, these candy apples deliver a glossy, hard candy shell that bursts with vibrant taste.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 6 medium apples (choose firm, crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6–8 Jolly Rancher candies (variety of flavors or one flavor for a consistent taste)
- Wooden sticks or candy apple sticks
- Optional: Food coloring to enhance color, if desired
Instructions
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Prepare the Apples:
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Insert a wooden stick into the core of each apple, ensuring a secure grip.
- Optionally, lightly coat apples with a thin layer of lemon juice to prevent browning.
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Melt the Jolly Ranchers:
- Unwrap the Jolly Ranchers and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until completely melted. Set aside.
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Make the Candy Coating:
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Once boiling, stop stirring and continue cooking until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer.
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Combine Flavors:
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Quickly mix in the melted Jolly Ranchers, and if desired, add a few drops of food coloring to enhance the hue.
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Coat the Apples:
- Working one apple at a time, dip the apple into the hot candy mixture, turning to coat evenly. Allow excess coating to drip off before setting the apple on a greased or parchment-lined surface to cool.
- Repeat with all apples.
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Cool and Serve:
- Let the candy coating harden completely (approximately 15–20 minutes) before serving. Enjoy these festive treats immediately or store in an airtight container for a day.
Notes
- Exercise caution when working with hot sugar mixtures to prevent burns.
- The coating can be flavored further by mixing different Jolly Rancher flavors or layering flavors with separate dips.
- Coating thickness may vary; for a thicker shell, allow the first layer to harden slightly before dipping a second time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy apple
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg