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This unique twist on candy apples transforms ordinary fruit into psychedelic treats that burst with Jolly Rancher flavor. The vibrant colors and sweet hard candy shell create a jaw-dropping dessert that's perfect for parties, fall festivals, or anytime you want to impress guests with minimal effort.
I discovered this recipe when planning my daughter's birthday party last year. The neon colors matched her "glow party" theme perfectly, and the guests couldn't stop talking about these glowing treats that tasted as amazing as they looked.
Ingredients
- Apples: Fresh and firm varieties like Granny Smith provide the perfect tartness to balance the sweet coating
- Jolly Rancher candies: Different flavors create the vibrant color spectrum that makes these apples special
- Sugar: Forms the foundation of the hard candy coating and helps achieve that signature crackable texture
- Light corn syrup: Prevents crystallization and creates the smooth glossy appearance we all love
- Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and candy for even coating
- Red food coloring: Optional but enhances the vibrancy especially when using multiple colors
- Wooden sticks or skewers: Strong enough to hold the weight of the apples while dipping and eating
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Apples:
- Remove any wax coating by briefly dunking apples in boiling water for 30 seconds then wiping dry. This crucial step ensures the candy coating adheres properly. Insert wooden sticks firmly into the stem end about halfway through each apple. Chill apples in refrigerator for 30 minutes as cold apples help the hot candy mixture set faster.
- Create Candy Base:
- In a medium saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Heat mixture over medium heat without stirring until sugar completely dissolves. Once dissolved increase heat to medium high and bring to a boil.
- Melt the Jolly Ranchers:
- When temperature reaches about 250°F add unwrapped Jolly Ranchers to the sugar mixture. Continue cooking undisturbed until mixture reaches exactly 300°F hard crack stage. Remove from heat immediately. If using multiple colors separate mixture into bowls and add different food coloring to each.
- Apply Candy Coating:
- Working quickly dip each chilled apple into candy mixture rotating to cover completely. Allow excess to drip back into pan for 10 seconds. The thin layer creates the perfect candy to apple ratio. If candy mixture becomes too thick reheat gently.
- Set and Decorate:
- Place dipped apples on parchment paper lined baking sheet to cool and harden completely about 1 hour. For extra pizzazz drizzle with contrasting candy colors or sprinkle with edible glitter before candy sets.
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I particularly love using blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers for their electric color that seems to glow under party lights. When my nephew tried his first bite last Halloween the perfect crack of the candy shell followed by his wide eyed expression made all the effort worthwhile.
Temperature Control Matters
Sugar work is precise science requiring exact temperatures. If your mixture goes beyond 310°F it will develop a bitter burnt taste. Below 295°F and your coating won't properly harden. Invest in a quality candy thermometer and test it in boiling water before starting. It should read exactly 212°F at sea level. If readings are off adjust your target temperature accordingly.
Flavor Combinations
Experiment with Jolly Rancher flavor combinations for custom colored apples. Green apple candies paired with Granny Smith apples intensify the tart apple flavor. Watermelon Jolly Ranchers create a beautiful pink coating that tastes incredible with sweeter apple varieties like Honeycrisp. For Halloween try mixing blue raspberry and cherry candies for a spooky purple effect that kids absolutely adore.
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Serving and Storage
These candy apples maintain their perfect texture for about 24 hours at room temperature. After that the moisture from the apple slowly softens the candy coating. For birthday parties or special events I recommend making them the same day. Serve by slicing into wedges rather than biting directly this prevents dental emergencies and makes sharing easier. For an elegant dessert table presentation stand apples in shallow cups filled with colorful candy to prevent sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use any type of apple for this?
Yes, but firmer apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best to balance the sweetness of the candy coating with their tartness.
- → What’s the purpose of heating the mixture to 300°F?
Reaching 300°F, known as the hard crack stage, ensures the coating hardens properly and sticks to the apples.
- → Can I skip the food coloring?
Yes, the food coloring is optional. The natural colors from the Jolly Ranchers already provide vibrant hues.
- → How long do the coated apples need to cool?
The coated apples usually take about 15-20 minutes to cool and harden completely on parchment paper.
- → Can I store these candy apples for later?
Yes, wrap them individually in cellophane or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.