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Poison Candy Apples Recipe

4.8 from 103 reviews

These Poison Candy Apples are a spooky twist on the classic treat, perfect for Halloween or themed parties. Coated in a glossy, deep black candy shell infused with vanilla, these crisp apples offer a delightful crunch and a visually striking appearance that will captivate guests of all ages.

Ingredients

Scale

Apples

  • 6 small to medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • Wooden sticks or decorative skewers

Candy Coating

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ¾ cup water
  • ½ tsp black gel food coloring (add more for intensity)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: a drop of purple or red food coloring for depth

Instructions

  1. Prep the apples: Wash the apples thoroughly to remove any wax coating by dipping them in hot water with a splash of vinegar for a few seconds. Dry them completely and insert wooden sticks or decorative skewers into the top of each apple. Place them upright on a parchment-lined tray and set aside.
  2. Make the black candy syrup: In a medium, heavy saucepan, combine granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir just until the sugar dissolves, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, avoid stirring but occasionally swirl the pan to ensure even heating. Heat until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer.
  3. Color and flavor the syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat immediately. Add vanilla extract and black gel food coloring to the hot syrup and stir gently until the color is uniform and glossy. Be cautious during this step, as the syrup is extremely hot and can cause burns.
  4. Coat the apples: Working quickly, dip each prepared apple into the hot candy syrup, tilting and rotating to ensure even coverage. Allow excess syrup to drip off before setting the apple upright on parchment paper. Let the candy coating cool and harden completely, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes, before serving.

Notes

  • Use a candy thermometer to ensure the syrup reaches the hard crack stage (300°F) for a perfect candy shell.
  • Be extremely careful when working with hot sugar syrup to avoid burns.
  • Adjust the amount of black food coloring to achieve your desired intensity of color.
  • Optional drops of purple or red food coloring can be added to create a richer, deeper black hue.
  • Choose crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture contrast.
  • Store coated apples at room temperature and consume within 24 hours for optimal freshness and crunch.

Keywords: Poison Candy Apples, Halloween Candy Apples, Black Candy Apples, Candy Apple Recipe, Spooky Treats