Description
These Jolly Rancher Candy Apples are a vibrant and delicious twist on the classic caramel apple. Using melted Jolly Rancher hard candies, this recipe creates a colorful, sweet, and crunchy candy coating around tart, crisp apples, making for a fun and festive treat perfect for parties, holidays, or any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 6 medium apples (preferably tart varieties like Granny Smith)
- 6 wooden sticks or candy apple sticks
Candy Coating
- 1 bag (approximately 11 oz) of Jolly Rancher hard candies (mix of colors/flavors)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for a smoother coating)
Other
- Wax paper or parchment paper (for setting the apples)
Instructions
- Prepare the apples: Wash the apples thoroughly and dry them well to ensure the candy coating sticks properly. Insert the wooden sticks into the tops of the apples firmly. Set the apples aside on a sheet of wax or parchment paper, ready for dipping.
- Unwrap the Jolly Ranchers: Remove all wrappers from the Jolly Rancher candies and place the unwrapped candies in a microwave-safe bowl, preparing them for melting.
- Melt the Jolly Ranchers: Pour 1/4 cup of water over the candies. Microwave the mixture in 30-second increments, stirring well between each interval, until the candies are fully melted and smooth. If you want a silkier candy coating, add 1 tablespoon of butter now and stir until melted and incorporated completely.
- Dip the apples: Holding one apple by the stick, carefully dip it into the melted candy mixture. Swirl the apple around to achieve an even coating of candy. Allow any excess candy to drip off before placing the apple onto the prepared wax or parchment paper.
- Cool the apples: Let the dipped apples rest on the paper for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the candy coating is fully hardened and crisp.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the candy shell is set, serve your colorful Jolly Rancher Candy Apples immediately and enjoy this delightful sweet and tart treat!
Notes
- For best results, choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness of the candy coating.
- Be careful when handling melted candy as it gets extremely hot and can cause burns.
- The optional butter helps to create a smoother, shinier coating but can be omitted if you prefer a more traditional crunch.
- If the candy hardens too quickly during dipping, gently reheat in the microwave to soften again.
- Store leftover candy apples at room temperature for up to 24 hours for best texture and flavor.
