Striped Candy Apples Recipe
Bright, playful, and surprisingly simple to make, Striped Candy Apples bring together crisp, juicy apples and a crisp layer of glossy, vibrantly striped candy shell. Whether you’re making them for a festive gathering or as a fun treat with family, these dramatic, two-toned apples are always a showstopper. With just a handful of ingredients and a bit of creative flair, you can transform humble apples into eye-catching sweets that taste every bit as magical as they look.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Apples:
- 6 small apples (such as Granny Smith or Fuji), washed and dried
Candy Coating:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (two contrasting colors, such as red and white or black and orange)
Additional:
- Wooden sticks or skewers
- Nonstick spray or parchment paper for resting
How to Make Striped Candy Apples
Step 1: Prepare Your Apples
Start by giving your apples a thorough wash and dry to remove any surface wax—this is absolutely key! Any moisture or hidden wax makes it tough for the candy shell to stick. Once your apples are bone dry, firmly insert a wooden stick into the top of each. Set them out on a parchment-lined tray so they’re ready for their candy bath.
Step 2: Make the Candy Syrup
Grab a medium saucepan and combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Place the pan over medium-high heat, stirring gently just until the sugar dissolves completely—then stop stirring. Let the mixture come to a rolling boil. Keep an eye on your candy thermometer and cook until the syrup hits 300°F (the hard crack stage). This ensures your Striped Candy Apples will have that perfect, satisfying crunch.
Step 3: Flavor and Color the Syrup
Once your syrup reaches the right temperature, immediately remove the pan from the heat and carefully stir in the vanilla extract. Divide the hot syrup between two heatproof bowls. Now for the magic: add a generous amount of gel food coloring to each bowl—pick bold, contrasting colors for dramatic stripes!
Step 4: Dip and Stripe the Apples
Working quickly (the syrup will set fast), dip each apple into your first color, giving it a gentle swirl so the surface gets evenly coated. Let any extra syrup drip off, then place the apple back on the parchment until the coating is tacky but not completely hard. For the striped effect, either drizzle the second color over the apple with a spoon, or dip just a portion, tilting and turning to create swoops, stripes, or even marbling. Have fun with it—there’s no wrong way to make Striped Candy Apples your own!
Step 5: Set and Cool
Once you’re happy with your patterns, let the apples cool completely at room temperature. The candy coating will harden into a gorgeously glossy shell. Now step back and admire your edible masterpieces—your Striped Candy Apples are ready to dazzle!
How to Serve Striped Candy Apples
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, you can give your Striped Candy Apples an extra sprinkle of pizzazz. Try dusting them with edible glitter, tiny sugar pearls, or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for bakery-worthy drama. The jewel-toned stripes will still shine through but with a little added pizzazz.
Side Dishes
These apples love to steal the spotlight, but they pair beautifully with simple treats like salty popcorn, warm apple cider, or caramel corn for irresistible sweet-and-salty contrast. For parties, serve alongside peanut butter dip or cheese cubes for a grown-up twist.
Creative Ways to Present
Display your Striped Candy Apples upright in a festive stand, nestled in cupcake liners, or wrapped in cellophane with bright ribbons for gifting. Try mixing up the color schemes—think black and orange for Halloween, red and white for Valentine’s, or teal and gold for a birthday bash. The stripes make them a conversation piece wherever they go!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once set, Striped Candy Apples can be kept at room temperature for up to two days. Store them on parchment paper in a single layer so their lovely stripes stay pristine. Don’t refrigerate—they’ll get sticky as condensation forms.
Freezing
Unfortunately, candy apples don’t freeze well, as the high moisture content of the apple causes the shell to crack and get soggy when thawed. For best results, enjoy within a couple days of making.
Reheating
Striped Candy Apples aren’t meant to be reheated, but if your shells lose their shine after a day or two, you can gently buff them with a bit of vegetable oil on a paper towel for a fresh look. Otherwise, eat them at room temperature for the best crunch.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Stick with gel food coloring for this recipe. Liquid dyes can water down the candy syrup, making it too runny and preventing that hard, shiny finish you want for Striped Candy Apples.
Why won’t the candy coating stick to my apples?
It’s often because of residual wax or moisture on the apples. Be sure to wash, scrub, and dry your apples thoroughly before dipping—the drier, the better!
How do I make precise stripes?
For ultra-crisp stripes, let the first colored coating set until just tacky, then use a spoon or a piping bag filled with the second color to drizzle or stripe exactly where you want. Rotate the apple gently for even designs.
Can I make Striped Candy Apples ahead of time?
Yes—they look and taste best the day they’re made, but you can keep them for up to two days at room temperature. Just store them dry and covered to keep them fresh.
What apples work best for this recipe?
Small, tart apples like Granny Smith or Fuji work wonderfully—their smaller size makes them easier to coat and eat, and their tartness complements the sweet shell perfectly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a treat that’s as dazzling as it is delicious, Striped Candy Apples are the answer. Gather your colors, grab your apples, and create some candy-coated magic—your friends and family will be wowed before the first bite. You absolutely have to give these classic, crowd-pleasing beauties a try!
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Striped Candy Apples Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 candy apples 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make stunning Striped Candy Apples at home with this easy and fun recipe. These colorful treats are perfect for Halloween or any festive occasion!
Ingredients
Apples:
- 6 small apples (such as Granny Smith or Fuji), washed and dried
Candy Coating:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (two contrasting colors, such as red and white or black and orange)
Additional:
- Wooden sticks or skewers
- Nonstick spray or parchment paper for resting
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Insert a wooden stick firmly into the top of each apple and set aside on a parchment-lined tray.
- Make Candy Coating: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat until sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and divide into two bowls, tinting each with gel food coloring.
- Coat Apples: Dip each apple into the first color, let excess drip off, then place on parchment to set slightly. Drizzle or dip into the second color for striped or marbled effects. Allow to cool until the coating hardens.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for best results.
- Dry apples completely before dipping to prevent sliding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 apple
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 56g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
