Ingredients:

  • 6 medium Granny Smith apples (approximately 150g each)
  • 6 wooden sticks (lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30 ml)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400g / 14 oz)
  • ¾ cup water (180 ml / 6 fl oz)
  • ½ cup light corn syrup (120 ml / 4 fl oz)
  • 1 teaspoon red food coloring gel (or liquid)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)

Instructions:

  1. Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. Remove stems. Insert a wooden stick firmly into the stem end of each apple. Brush apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  3. Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
  4. Bring to a boil, without stirring, until the candy thermometer reaches 300°F (149°C) - the hard-crack stage.
  5. Remove from heat. Quickly stir in food coloring and vanilla extract.
  6. Working quickly, tilt the saucepan slightly. Dip each apple into the candy coating, rotating to ensure complete coverage. Lift and allow excess to drip off.
  7. Place coated apples on the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Allow the candy apples to cool completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes) before serving.