Description
Delight in a nostalgic fairground favorite with these Cotton Candy Swirl Candy Apples. Crisp apples are dipped in a vibrant, homemade cotton candy-flavored hard candy coating swirled with eye-catching blue and pink hues. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or as a fun dessert, these candy apples offer a crunchy, sweet treat that’s both visually stunning and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 6 small apples (Granny Smith or Gala, washed and dried)
- 6 wooden sticks
Candy Coating
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
- Gel food coloring (blue and pink or any cotton candy-inspired colors)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Insert wooden sticks firmly into the tops of each washed and dried apple to create handles for dipping and serving.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it to prevent the candy apples from sticking while they set.
- Make Sugar Syrup: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, light corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Boil to Hard Crack Stage: Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring further and cook until the syrup reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer, which ensures a hard, crunchy candy coating.
- Add Flavoring: Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully stir in the cotton candy flavoring for that iconic carnival taste.
- Color the Syrup: Quickly divide the hot syrup into two heatproof bowls. Stir blue gel food coloring into one bowl and pink into the other, using gel colors to achieve vibrant hues without altering syrup consistency.
- Create Swirl Effect: Working swiftly, drizzle the two colored syrups into a third large bowl to create a swirled, marbled effect without fully mixing, which will give the candy apples their signature cotton candy look.
- Dip the Apples: Immediately dip each apple into the swirled candy syrup, turning to coat all sides evenly. Allow excess syrup to drip off before proceeding.
- Set the Candy Apples: Place the coated apples onto the prepared baking sheet to cool and harden completely, which takes several minutes.
- Serve or Store: Once cooled and hardened, serve immediately or store the candy apples at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Handle hot sugar syrup with care to avoid burns as it reaches extremely high temperatures.
- Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors without thinning the syrup.
- Store finished candy apples in a cool, dry place at room temperature; avoid refrigerating as moisture can cause the coating to become sticky.
- Use wooden sticks sturdy enough to hold the weight of the apples and candy coating.
- The candy apples are best enjoyed within 2 days for optimal texture and flavor.
