Description
These Sunset Glow Candy Apples are a dazzling, grown-up twist on a fairground classic. With a shimmering red-to-orange ombré shell, cotton candy flavoring, and an optional splash of vodka or schnapps, they’re the ultimate edible centerpiece for parties, birthdays, or Halloween. Crunchy, tart, sweet—and anything but boring!
Ingredients
Makes 6 apples
6 Granny Smith apples, washed and thoroughly dried
2 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
½ cup water
½ teaspoon cotton candy flavoring (or vanilla extract)
Red gel food coloring
Orange gel food coloring
Optional: 2–3 tablespoons vodka or cotton candy schnapps
Optional: edible glitter or shimmer sugar
Wooden sticks or decorative paper straws
Parchment paper, lightly greased
Instructions
Prepare the apples: Remove stems and insert a stick into the top of each apple. Set on a lightly greased parchment-lined baking sheet.
Make the candy coating: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat. Stir gently until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
Heat to hard crack stage: Clip a candy thermometer to the pan and allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Do not stir.
Flavor and color: Remove from heat and stir in the cotton candy flavoring. Quickly divide the mixture into two bowls—color one orange and the other red using gel food coloring.
Add alcohol (optional): Stir 1–1.5 tablespoons of vodka or schnapps into each bowl quickly. Note: this may slightly cool the candy mixture, so work fast.
Dip and create the ombré: Working quickly, dip each apple halfway into the orange coating, let excess drip off, then dip the top into the red coating for a glowing ombré effect.
Decorate and set: Sprinkle with edible glitter while still tacky, if using. Place apples back on parchment to cool and harden fully, about 20 minutes.
Notes
Dry your apples thoroughly after washing—moisture prevents the candy from sticking properly.
Use gel food coloring to avoid watering down the candy syrup.
These apples are best enjoyed within 3 days and stored at room temperature, wrapped in parchment or cellophane.
Want a family-friendly version? Just skip the alcohol! They’ll still sparkle with flavor and color.
Great for customizing—try different color combos, edible gold flakes, or flavor extracts like almond or raspberry.
Not a fan of Granny Smith? Fuji or Honeycrisp apples work beautifully too!