Get ready to sweeten your Halloween celebrations with a twist of darkness! Introducing Halloween Candy Apples, the ultimate spooky treat that will cast a spell on your taste buds & create an enchantingly eerie atmosphere. Gone are the days of traditional red candy apples; this year, we’re taking a walk on the dark side. These captivating apples feature a unique black-as-night appearance, making them an ideal centerpiece for Halloween parties or a stylish addition to your trick-or-treat spread!
Poison black candy apples are going to give your guests a fright this Halloween! Deep black candy apples that are bursting with sweetness in each bite. Granny Smith apples that are coated in a homemade black candy coating. Made with corn syrup, maple syrup, sugar, and of course black gel food coloring.
Who doesn’t love a good candy apple? Check out my mini candy apples for a bite-size treat! These black apples are going to wow your family, friends, or party guests as they see them setting out on display. They are shiny coated and bursting with tart and sweet flavor in each bite.
Pair your candy apples with this deep black and purple Halloween cake for a gorgeous dessert display! It would offer that rich and ominous look.
What Exactly Are Black Candy Apples?
Poison apples or sinister apples are other names that these black candy apples are called. They are a glossy-looking coating to a bright and colorful green apple.
They are served up for a spooky vibe that is striking and offers a dark and eerie vibe. This is a fun twist to a classic candy apple. Have fun making them to elevate your Halloween events this year.
Ingredients Needed
Apples – I used Granny Smith apples as they are nice and tart. This is going to help balance all the sweetness in the candy coating. Feel free to use any type of apple you want.
Sugar – White sugar also called granulated sugar is going to be used to sweeten and create that nice hard candy shell.
Corn Syrup – Light corn syrup works best for this recipe. It is going to give that glossy finish to the apple coating.
Water – Filtered water is best, so you could use reverse osmosis, filtered, or bottled water.
Maple Syrup – This helps with sweetening but also offers a gorgeous shine to the coating.
Food Coloring – I used black food coloring that is gel-based. I find it colors really well.
Skewers or Straws – You will want to create handles so I used skewers or straws to poke for a handle for snacking on the apples.
How to Remove Wax From Apples with Vinegar
Here is a method on how to remove wax from the apples so that the candy apple coating sticks to the apples. Without removing the wax on the apples, the coating will fall off the apples.
- Mix equal parts of water and white distilled vinegar in a bowl.
- Submerge the apples in the mixture and gently massage the apples, rubbing away the wax.
- Once the wax is gone, rinse the apples in cold water.
- Pat dry, and ensure the apples are fully dry before you take the next steps for making the candy apples.
Variations to Candy Apples Recipe
Color – While I colored my apples black, essentially you can use any color of food coloring to create vibrant shiny apples!
Apples – Any type of apple works for this recipe. I personally prefer a tart apple so it balances out the sweetness of the coating.
Flavor – Add a few drops of a flavored extract to add a burst of flavor. Experiment with flavors to find what you like.
Tips for Recipe
Crisp Apples
Make sure your apples are fresh and nice and crisp. This is going to ensure the apples hold up well once coated in candy coating.
Wax Removal
I shared above how to remove the wax from the apple. It is crucial to do so, otherwise, the coating will not stick.
Candy Thermometer
I recommend buying a candy thermometer to ensure you get your sugar coating to the proper temperature.
Prep Apples in Advance
Make sure that you add the sticks to the apples ahead of time, so that when your coating is ready for dipping you can dip the apples and place them on the prepared pan.
Heat Resistant Gloves
You might consider investing in heat-resistant gloves. The sugar mixture is extremely hot and will cause severe burns. If you are worried buy gloves to wear to protect your skin.
Whether you’re hosting a haunted house party or simply want to amaze your family and friends, black candy apples add a touch of elegance and intrigue to your Halloween festivities. Arrange them on a sinister-themed dessert table, surrounded by flickering candles and cobweb decorations. The juxtaposition of dark and light aesthetics is sure to ignite the imaginations of all who encounter them.
If you’re feeling creative, consider adding spooky decorations like edible silver glitter or little plastic spiders like I’ve done here , to enhance the overall mystique of these enchanting apples. They will effortlessly complement your costume and the Halloween party.
Rotate as You Dip
When dipping the apples it is important to rotate the apple by twisting the stick. It is going to allow the apples to fully coat. Then allow the excess sugar mixture to drip off before you place it on your tray.
Decorate Quickly
If you want to add sprinkles or other toppings do it quickly as the candy coating is going to set in minutes.
Storing
Store the apples in an airtight container at room temperature. You do not want to refrigerate as it will affect the texture of the candy coating. Do not stack apples as they will stick together.
Eat the apples within 1-2 days of making. The coating will become soft and less glossy as it sits. This is a recipe you want to eat shortly after you prepare them.
FAQs
Can I make candied black apples in advance?
You can make these candied black apples a day in advance of when you plan to serve. The shine will lessen as it sits. But you can store them in a sealed container for a day in advance.
Can I add decorations to black candy apples?
Go right ahead and decorate with nuts, sprinkles, chopped candies, etc. Just add it to the apples as you dip as the coating sets up quickly.
Can I use natural ingredients for the black color?
Activated charcoal or black cocoa powder could help achieve a natural black but you will find that it is tricky since it is such a deep color. But you are welcome to experiment and see if you can find something that works.
So, this Halloween, dare to step into the darkness and awaken your taste buds with the wickedly delicious black candy apples. It’s time to embrace the enchantment, the thrill, and the joy that only this spooktacular season can bring!
More Halloween Recipes
Black Candy Apples
Ingredients
- 5-6 medium-sized apples Granny Smith or any other tart variety – remove the wax from the apples or use organic apples to help prevent bubbles *see tips for how to remove the wax
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon black gel food coloring
- Wooden skewers or paper straws
Instructions
- Wash the apples in 1 part water 1 part distilled vinegar. Rub the apples to remove the wax on the apples. This is a must do step or the candy coating will fall off.
- Once apples have wax removed, rinse in cold water and then allow them to fully dry.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then add skewers or sticks into the tops of each of the apples and set to the side.
- In a medium saucepan add the sugar, corn syrup, water and maple syrup. Heat on medium heat stirring continously. You want to cook for 3-5 minutes to dissolve all the sugar.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, stop stirring and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture and continue boiling until it reaches the hard crack stage, which is around 300°F. This will take approximately 15-20 minutes. If you do not have a thermometer, spoon some of the syrup into a cold bowl of water. If the syrup instantly hardens, then it is ready.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and let it sit to allow the bubbles to stop.
- Stir in the black food coloring, it will steam a bit when you pour it in.
- Tip the pot at a 45° angle so all of the candy syrup goes to one side. Holding the skewer, dip each apple into the black candy syrup,swirling it around to ensure even coating. Allow any excess syrup to drip off. Keep the pot on medium-low heat to prevent the syrup from hardening. If it starts to harden it becomes increasingly difficult to dip between apples.
- Place the apples on the tray and let them harden for an hour or until completely set.
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