Candy apples are so pretty and fun to make for a holiday treat! There is just something about that shiny red candy that makes you want to take a big bite! I like the candy coating to be cinnamon flavored and used to add Red Hots candy to flavor the sugar syrup before I was vegan. Unfortunately, they have a shellac coating and are not vegan. I tried using cinnamon sticks to flavor the syrup, but they only provided a mild cinnamon flavor. If you want a stronger flavor, I would whisk 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the sugar before adding the other ingredients. Here is what you will need to make your own candy apples:
Wash and thoroughly dry your apples. You will have enough syrup for six medium-sized or eight small apples. Add the sugar to a large saucepan. Whisk in the ground cinnamon if you are using it. Add the water, vanilla, coloring, and corn syrup. I used a half teaspoon of red food coloring, but you could use less (or none at all) if you want a lighter red or clear candy coating.
Place your pan on a burner or induction cooktop over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until all of the sugar has dissolved.
Reduce the heat just enough to keep the syrup from trying to boil over. Add the cinnamon sticks:
Keep trying to increase the heat. Clip the candy thermometer to the side of your pan once you can keep the heat at medium without the syrup trying to boil over:
Add sticks to your apples and line a baking sheet with parchment paper:
Watch the thermometer closely when the syrup gets to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the pan from the heat when the syrup reaches 300 degrees:
Remove the cinnamon sticks:
Let the bubbles pop before you start coating your apples. I didn’t wait quite long enough and there are a few bubbles on some of my apples. Use a spoon to coat the top of an apple, then dip the bottom. Turn the apple upside down for a few seconds, then place it on parchment paper to cool down. Do not use waxed paper because your apple will stick if you do!
Let the candy cool and harden before serving your apples. This only takes about 15 minutes.
Candy apples really need to be cut in order to eat them. The sticks make you think they are meant to be held and eaten whole, but it just doesn’t work. Cut them up and enjoy!
Cinnamon Candy Apples
These cinnamon candy apples are crunchy, juicy, and delicious!
Ingredients
- 8 small Apples
- 600 g (3 c) Vegan Sugar
- 1.3 g (1/2 tsp) Ground Cinnamon (optional)
- 170 g (1/2 c) Karo Syrup (light corn syrup)
- 240 g (1 c) Water
- 2.5 g (1/2 tsp) Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Red Food Coloring (optional)
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
Instructions
-
Wash and thoroughly dry your apples. You will have enough syrup for six medium-sized or eight small apples.
-
Add the sugar to a large saucepan. Whisk in the ground cinnamon if you are using it.
-
Add the water, vanilla, coloring, and corn syrup. I used a half teaspoon of red food coloring, but you could use less (or none at all) if you want a lighter red or clear candy coating.
-
Place your pan on a burner or induction cooktop over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until all of the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat just enough to keep the syrup from trying to boil over. Add the cinnamon sticks.
-
Keep trying to increase the heat. Clip the candy thermometer to the side of your pan once you can keep the heat at medium without the syrup trying to boil over.
-
Add sticks to your apples and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Watch the thermometer closely when the syrup gets to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the pan from the heat when the syrup reaches 300 degrees.
-
Remove the cinnamon sticks. Let the bubbles pop before you start coating your apples. Use a spoon to coat the top of an apple, then dip the bottom. Turn the apple upside down for a few seconds, then place it on parchment paper to cool down. Do not use waxed paper because your apple will stick if you do!
-
Let the candy cool and harden before serving your apples. This only takes about 15 minutes. Candy apples really need to be cut in order to eat them. The sticks make you think they are meant to be held and eaten whole, but it just doesn’t work. Cut them up and enjoy! Store in a cool and dry place at room temperature, and eat within a few days.
Recipe Notes
- The cinnamon sticks provide a mild amount of cinnamon flavor. If you like a stronger flavor, whisk the optional ground cinnamon with the sugar before adding the other ingredients.