Ingredients
Units
- 6-8 small, firm apples (such as Gala or Granny Smith)
- Wooden skewers or popsicle sticks
- 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Parchment paper (for setting apples)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples:
Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Remove the stems and insert a wooden skewer or popsicle stick into the top of each apple. Set aside. - Prepare Work Surface:
Line a baking sheet with oil or parchment paper to prevent sticking. - Make the Candy Coating:
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar and water. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, without stirring, until the mixture reaches the “soft crack” stage (270–290°F / 132–143°C) on a candy thermometer. The syrup should form thin threads that are brittle when dropped into cold water (this replaces the old-fashioned “thread” test). - Finish the Syrup:
Remove the pan from heat as soon as it reaches the correct temperature. Carefully stir in the lemon juice. - Coat the Apples:
Working quickly (the syrup hardens as it cools), dip each apple into the hot syrup, turning to coat evenly. Let excess syrup drip off, then place each coated apple on the prepared tray. - Cool and Harden:
Allow the coated apples to sit at room temperature until the candy shell is firm and fully cooled. - Serve and Enjoy!
Enjoy these nostalgic taffy apples the same day for the best texture.
Notes
If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test the syrup by dropping a small amount into a glass of cold water. It should form threads that can be bent slightly before breaking.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Holiday
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American