CANDY APPLES - HALLOWEEN EDITION

Candy apples, in my book, are almost synonymous with Halloween and fall in general.  I remember begging my mom to buy the 3 pack of them at the grocery store every year around this time.  Little did I realize how easy they were to make yourself, well maybe not as a kid as the syrup gets really hot, but as a grown up... heck yes! Not only do they have the benefit of nostalgia, but these candy apples, skewered with a twig act as decor themselves, evoking memories of Snow White's poison apple.  Give these a try at your next Halloween affair!
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• red food coloring
• 6-8 Macintosh apples

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease with butter.
2. To prep the apples, remove the stems, wash, and dry them.  Insert either a Popsicle stick or small twig (that has been washed thoroughly) into the top and press down until it is secure. 
3. Combine corn syrup, sugar, water, and food coloring in a medium saucepan.  
4. Heat on medium-high until mixture boils.  Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until a candy thermometer reads 301° Fahrenheit, which is approximately the hard crack stage.  If you don't have a candy thermometer,  you can test by dripping some of the syrup into cold water and it should immediately harden.
5. Remove the syrup from the heat and quickly dip your apples in the syrup, coating the sides.  Set the dipped apples on the lined baking sheet and let cool.
6. Enjoy!

For more Halloween recipes, cocktails, and decor ideas, click here.