Candy Apple

I have brother-in-law and a daughter that love Candy Apples.   They really are easy to make and doesn't take very long.   To me Candy Apples & Caramel Apples just scream Autumn time to me. 

CANDY APPLE
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
*2 cups granulated sugar
*3/4 cup water
*1/2 cup light corn syrup
*6 medium to small apples of your choice (I use macintosh)
*6 popsicle sticks
*2-5 drops red food coloring (optional)

Directions:
~Spread butter on a sheet of parchment paper.
~Heat up a medium bowl of very hot water (not boiling).
~Remove stems from apples.
~Dip apples in hot water for a few seconds and then dry off (removes any wax).

~Insert popsicle sticks into apples.

~In a medium heavy saucepan, mix 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup corn syrup & 2-5 drops red food coloring.
~Bring to a boil over hight heat.
~Once mixture starts to boil, turn heat down to medium-high heat.
~Continue to boil until mixture comes to the hard crack stage (between 300-310 degrees).
~Quickly and carefully dip apples into sugar mixture until completely covered.
~Set on butter parchment paper.
~Set until completely cooled.

Variation:
`put 1 cup of red hot candies into the mixture to melt.  This give it a slight taste of cinnamon and you won't need the food coloring.