Homemade Candy Apples How-To

Black food coloring and branches from your garden in lieu of lollipop or popsicle sticks creates a spooky twist on this classic fall treat. You'll have just as much fun making them as you will eating them!

Here is what you will need to get started: 8 apples / 8 small branches from food-safe tree (apple, maple, birch, etc.) / sugar / corn syrup / water / candy thermometer / black food coloring / black sugar sprinkles / cooking spray / parchment paper / cookie sheet.

Add 2 cups of sugar, 3/4 cup of corn syrup, 1 cup of water and 2 teaspoons of food coloring to a small pot over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir it only once to combine the ingredients and then do not stir again.

Add the candy thermometer to the pot with the sugar mixture as it simmers. The temperature will need to reach 300 degrees F (this will bring the mixture to the hard-crack stage). This can take up to 30 minutes. In the meantime, move on to the next steps. Warning: Use extreme caution when working with the hot sugar mixture to avoid injury. Do not let children handle the hot candy coating.