Halloween Treat: Candy-Coated Ghosts and Jack-O'-Apples

Materials Needed

6 small organic apples (Choose organic apples as they haven't been coated in commercial-grade food wax which will prevent the candy coating from adhering to the apples.)
6 ice pop sticks or other sturdy candy apple sticks
12 ounces orange candy coating
12 ounces white candy coating
10 chocolate chews
light corn syrup
3 ounces green readymade fondant
3 ounces white readymade fondant

Yield: 6 candy-coated apples

1. Wash the apples and dry them thoroughly. Remove the apple stems and press the sticks into the apples so they stand upright. Pick up the apples to make sure they are stable and won't slide off the stick.

2. To Create Jack-O'-Lanterns: Melt the orange candy coating in the microwave at 30-second intervals until the candy can be stirred smooth, about 1 minute (Image 1). Tilt the bowl so the candy pools to one side and dip the apple into the candy turning it so the apple is completely coated in candy (Image 2). Lift the apple from the bowl and keep turning it by the stick for about one minute. This helps the candy to stick evenly to the sides of the apple.

3. Turn the apple upright and place on parchment paper. Repeat this process with remaining apples. Allow the apples to dry for 1 hour at room temperature, or transfer them to the refrigerator to speed setting, about 15 minutes.

4. Knead the chocolate chews until they are soft and flexible. Roll them flat with a rolling pin (Image 1). Cut pumpkin face shapes from the candy using a knife or kitchen-dedicated scissors (Image 2). 

5. Lightly brush the backs of the pieces with corn syrup (Image 1) and arrange the pieces onto the apples so a jack-o'-lantern face is achieved (Image 2).

6. Roll the green fondant to 1/4-inch thickness with a rolling pin and cut out flower shapes using a fondant cutter (Image 1). You can also cut a free-hand flower shape from the fondant using a small knife. Thread the piece onto the apple stick and press on top of the apple (Image 2).

7. To Create Ghosts: Use the white candy coating on the remaining apples, repeating the dipping and drying process (Image 1). Use chocolate chews to create shapes for a ghost face and adhere as before with corn syrup (Image 2).

8. Use white ready-made fondant to create cone shapes and thread them onto the apple sticks. Press them on top so the apple core is completely covered. Curl the tip of the cone slightly toward the ghost's face.

9. Display completed candy apples on a decorative tray or package in treat boxes or cellophane bags tied with ribbon.