How to make orange candy apples for autumn celebrations.
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The best way for me to really get into the Halloween mood is, of course, by making some spooky sweet treats! I just love getting to be creative with different ways to craft creepy snacks to set the spooky mood around my house. One of my favorite recipes to break out, for spooky movie nights and for costume parties alike, is this one for Orange Candy Apples!
I have found that these classic candied apples are the perfect way to encompass the Halloween spirit in a family-friendly way. With this kid-friendly Halloween activity there’s no need to worry about the kids getting too frightened or grossed out. Making a batch of these orange candy apples is just a bunch of traditional family fun!
With my simple method, these candy apples are super easy and quick to make. Plus, not only are they perfect for kids’ costume parties, adult Halloween parties, and small fall festivals, but also for any other autumn holiday you want to make them for! Can you imagine how fun these are to have for the kids at Thanksgiving too?
Whatever you make them for, these candied orange apples are sure to steal the spotlight! Here’s how to conjure up that classic Halloween magic in the kitchen with this sweet and simple recipe.
To make easy candy apples, all you need is some apples, sugar, light corn syrup, water, food coloring, a saucepan, a heat-resistant spatula, parchment paper, and skewers. Just stick a skewer into each apple after removing the stem, then heat the other ingredients together in the saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. After the syrup reaches the right temperature, carefully swirl the apples in the candy to coat thoroughly and then transfer them to a sheet of parchment paper to cool and harden completely.
Easy Candy Apple Equipment
Let’s get started by going over the tools and equipment needed for these simple and scrumptious Halloween treats! I don’t use a bunch of complicated equipment for this recipe so let out that sigh of relief. The only tools I need to make a batch of these crunchy candy apples are:
- Saucepan with a pouring lip
- Silicone Spatula
- Parchment paper sheets
- Short bamboo skewers
- Assorted paper drinking straws
- Candy thermometer
Crisp Candy Apple Ingredients
As for the ingredients? Well, I only need the use of just a handful of simple and sweet ingredients to make these delectable apple snacks. Here is my short ingredient list to make a batch of orange candy apples:
- 4 Granny Smith apples
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cup water
- Food Coloring: Orange
How to Make Mesmerizing Orange Candy Apples
Now let me break down my simple candied apple process. No tricks here, just treats, I promise! Just be sure to keep an eye out for any side notes or special instructions I have included for spook-tacular success! Here is how to make orange candy apples:
- First, gather up and measure out all of the ingredients. Then, wash the apples and thoroughly dry them off with a few paper towels. Remove the stems from the apples and skewer the core of each one with a short bamboo skewer and then set them aside on a sheet of parchment paper.
- Next, combine the water, sugar, light corn syrup, and orange food coloring in a saucepan– I like to use one with a pouring lip- and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Continuously stir the mixture with a silicone spatula or whisk until the sugar completely dissolves, about 20 minutes.
- While cooking, occasionally scrape down the mixture along the inside of the pot, so that no leftover sugar crystals mess with the final consistency.
- The colored syrup is ready when it reaches 310ºF on a candy thermometer or reaches the “hard crack stage”.
- To see if the syrup is ready without a candy thermometer, just drop a little bit of the boiling sugar mixture into a glass of ice-cold water. The sugar drop should form hard, brittle threads that indicate that it has reached the right temp.
- Finally, carefully dip each apple into the orange syrup one at a time. Swirl the pan around from one side to the other to thoroughly coat each apple with the candy mixture, and then carefully transfer the candied apple to a sheet of parchment paper to cool and harden completely.
- Before serving, cover each of the bamboo skewers with a Halloween-themed paper straw.
- Candied apples are usually ready to eat in about 10 minutes.
Halloween Theme
How to Store Candied Apples
To properly store candied apples: wrap the candied apples individually in cellophane wrap and tie it off well to prevent any air from reaching the apples. The apples will stay fresh like this, at room temperature for up to 3-5 days, out of the sun. Candied apples can be kept in the fridge, stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week, but the moisture from the fridge can make the candy coating start to sweat. So for the crispest results, I recommend the room temperature storage method.
Trick or Treat, Here is Something Good to Eat
If you’re like me and want to pack out the food table for your Halloween costume party then you probably want as many simple recipes as you can find. If that’s the case then today is your lucky day! Check out some of my -and my family’s- favorite spooky and enchanting treats below.
Enchanting Halloween party recipes:
- Black CandyApples
- Red Candy Apples
- Skull Halloween Sugar Cookies
- Mermaid Cake Popsicles
- Mermaid Pretzel Rods
- Chocolate Mermaid Tails
- Mini Mermaid Chocolate Bars
- Unicorn Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Unicorn Meringue Pops
- Unicorn Meringue Cookies
- Unicorn Rainbow Cupcakes
Orange Candy Apples
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Granny Smith apples
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cup water
- Food Coloring Orange
Instructions
- First, gather up and measure out all of the ingredients. Then, wash the apples and thoroughly dry them off with a few paper towels. Remove the stems from the apples and skewer the core of each one with a short bamboo skewer and then set them aside on a sheet of parchment paper.
- Next, combine the water, sugar, light corn syrup, and orange food coloring in a saucepan- I like to use one with a pouring lip- and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Continuously stir the mixture with a silicone spatula or whisk until the sugar completely dissolves, about 20 minutes.While cooking, occasionally scrape down the mixture along the inside of the pot, so that no leftover sugar crystals mess with the final consistency.
- The colored syrup is ready when it reaches 310ºF on a candy thermometer or reaches the “hard crack stage”.To see if the syrup is ready without a candy thermometer, just drop a little bit of the boiling sugar mixture into a glass of ice-cold water. The sugar drop should form hard, brittle threads that indicate that it has reached the right temp.
- Finally, carefully dip each apple into the orange syrup one at a time. Swirl the pan around from one side to the other to thoroughly coat each apple with the candy mixture, and then carefully transfer the candied apple to a sheet of parchment paper to cool and harden completely.Before serving, cover each of the bamboo skewers with a Halloween-themed paper straw.Candied apples are usually ready to eat in about 10 minutes.
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