The Big Apple

Candy apples are not just for kids! I was at a dinner party last week and one of the desserts being served was…a candy apple. The sweet candy coating complemented the tart crunchy granny smith apple so well. The next week I went to the farmers market and picked up a few varieties of apples from local farms and played around with the flavours. It all depends on personal taste and how much of a sweet tooth you have. Personally, I like a thick candy coating but a sour apple to balance it out. Here are some varieties that are commonly used for candy apples:

Braeburn: Golden-green to red skin, firm, sweetly tart

Fuji: Yellow-green skin, firm, sweet

Golden Delicious: golden skin, firm, sweet

Granny Smith: green skin, very firm, tart

Lady: Red to yellow skin, firm, sweetly tart

McIntosh: Reddish-green skin, firm, sweetly tart.

Simple Candy Apple Recipe

4 Apples

½ cup water

4 skewers

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 tsp cinnamon

Few drops of red food colouring

2 tbsp honey

2 ½ cups sugar

3 cloves

Candy thermometer

First of all prepare the apples: wash and dry them well, cut the stem off , then run a wooden stick through the center of each apple.

If you are using store bought apples, they might have a layer of wax on them. To remove, dip them in hot water and wipe off the wax.

Now pour ½ cup (100 ml) of lukewarm water, together with the sugar and the honey into a narrow, heavy small saucepan and melt everything well.

 Put a candy thermometer into the saucepan and when the temperature has reached 212°F  add the food dye , the cinnamon and the cloves.

Stir and let it boil on a medium flame until the temperature reaches 300°F (150°C), then remove the saucepan from the heat, remove the cloves, tilt it slightly and roll the apples to coat them with a thin layer . Place the coated apples on a tray covered with parchment paper, where you'll let them dry.

 As soon as the apples are cold, serve them immediately.

To add some variety, roll the just coated apples in coconut shavings or Skor bits. Adds texture, flavor and look great on a platter!