Cute Candy Apples
This post contains affiliate links — if you buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you.
The Idea:
I made these for our Ghouls' Night and my kids found them before anybody arrived, which tells you everything about how good they are! I made a second batch. It took five minutes, which is the only reason I'm not still upset about it. lol
Quick note on the name: these are chocolate apples, not the hard red candy-shell kind. No candy thermometer, no boiling sugar, no burning yourself. You melt chocolate and you dip. If you've been scared off candy apples because of the sugar work, this is the version for you.
What You Need:
apples! I prefer Honeycrisp or Granny smith.
sturdy wooden skewers or candy apple sticks
Wilton Candy Melts, or any melting chocolate
toppings: sprinkles, chopped nuts, mini M&M's, crushed cookies, flaky salt
parchment paper and a sheet pan
How to Assemble:
Rinse the apples under hot water and rub them down to take the wax off. Grocery store apples are coated and chocolate will not stick to wax.
Dry them completely. This is the one step that could ruin a batch. Water makes melted chocolate seize and go grainy, so get them bone dry, including around the stem.
Pull the stem and push a skewer down into the top.
Melt the chocolate at 50% power for one minute, stir, then keep going in 15 to 30 second bursts, stirring every time. When there are just a few small pieces left, stop and let the residual heat finish them. Overheating is what makes it thick and chalky.
If it's too thick to coat nicely, stir in a little vegetable shortening. About a teaspoon and a half per 10 oz bag will do. Do not add water or milk.
Dip the apple, turn it as you lift it out, and let the extra run off for a second.
Add toppings right away, while the chocolate is still wet. It sets faster than you expect.
Stand them on parchment and let them set at room temperature, or 10 minutes in the fridge if you're in a hurry.
Serve them whole with the skewer, or slice them into wedges with a serrated knife and fan them on a plate! They’re much easier to eat at a party if already cut.
