Pioneer Woman Candied Apples Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Candied Apples Recipe is a classic and festive recipe, which uses red cinnamon candies to create its signature vibrant coating. It’s the perfect nostalgic treat for fall festivals, ready in about 30 minutes plus cooling time.

Jump to Recipe

Pioneer Woman Candied Apples Recipe Ingredients

• 8 lollipop or popsicle sticks
• 8 medium apples (any type!), cleaned and dried, stems removed
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup red cinnamon candy, like Red Hots
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/8 tsp. red food coloring
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

How To Make Pioneer Woman Candied Apples

1. Prepare the apples and baking sheet: Firmly insert a stick into the stem end of each apple, pushing it about halfway through. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and coat it generously with nonstick cooking spray. Set both aside.
2. Make the candy mixture: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, 1 cup of water, cinnamon candies, light corn syrup, and red food coloring.
3. Boil to hard crack stage: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, insert a candy thermometer and continue to boil, without stirring, until the temperature reaches the hard crack stage, which is between 300°F and 305°F. This will take about 20 minutes.
4. Add vanilla and settle: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully stir in the vanilla extract—be aware it will bubble up. Let the syrup stand for a minute or two until the bubbling subsides completely. This helps prevent air bubbles from forming on your apples.
5. Dip the apples: Working quickly but carefully, tilt the saucepan and dip one apple into the hot syrup, coating about three-quarters of its surface. Hold the apple over the pot for a few seconds to allow the excess syrup to drip off.
6. Cool and harden: Place the dipped apple on the prepared baking sheet to cool. Repeat the process with the remaining apples.
7. Serve: Allow the candied apples to cool completely at room temperature until the candy coating is hard and no longer tacky.

Recipe Tips

• What are the best apples for candied apples? Firm, crisp, and slightly tart apples work best as they hold up to the hot syrup and balance the sweetness. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala are all excellent choices.
• How do I prevent bubbles in the candy coating? The key is to let the sugar syrup rest for a minute after adding the vanilla. This allows the intense bubbling to stop before you start dipping, resulting in a smooth, glass-like finish.
• Why is my candy coating grainy? A grainy texture can be caused by sugar crystals forming. To prevent this, ensure the sugar is fully dissolved before the mixture comes to a full boil. You can also use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the saucepan.
• How do I clean the candy pot? Don’t scrub! Once you’re finished, simply fill the pot with hot water and place it back on the stove over medium heat. The hardened candy will dissolve into the water, making cleanup effortless.

Variations

• Add some sparkle: After dipping, and before the coating sets, you can roll the bottom of the apples in edible glitter, sprinkles, or finely chopped nuts for extra decoration and crunch.
• Different flavors: You can experiment with different hard candies or extracts. Try using crushed butterscotch candies for a different flavor profile, omitting the cinnamon and red food coloring.

How To Store Candied Apples

Store: Candied apples are best enjoyed on the day they are made. If you need to store them, place them in the refrigerator, uncovered, for up to 2 days. Be aware that humidity can cause the candy coating to become sticky over time.

Candied Apples Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~450 kcal per apple
• Protein: 0.5g
• Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 110g
• Sugar: 90g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Crockpot Applesauce Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Halloween Chex Mix Recipe