Our Homemade Candied Apple Recipe is complete with rich caramel, drizzles of white chocolate, and sprinkles. The toppings are limitless for these Autumn gems and are absolutely perfect for holiday gatherings and gift-giving.
Below we will be sharing which types of apples are best for today's recipe as well as various toppings!
Apple Guide - What's the best variety to use for candied apples?
This boils down to preference some people love a sour apple to balance out the sweetness, while others enjoy a slightly sweeter apple to compliment the toppings. Either way, you want to make sure you're using the freshest and most crisp apples. Here are some of our favorite recommendations:
- Granny Smith - The beloved sour green apple that is most preferred amongst bakers. The crisp bitterness offsets the sugar content when cooked down but in cases like today's recipe where there is no cooking involved, it's the sweet-and-sour combo that many love.
- Jazz Apples - These offer a delicious crunch to your candied apple and they have a tangy-sweetness which also makes them a good choice.
- Fuji - If you are a fan of those bright red candied apples, then Fuji is the perfect pick. They're firm, crisp, and juicy!
- Gala - I love Gala apples and that's what I chose to use for today's recipe. Gala tend to be on the sweeter side so if you have a real sweet tooth, you'll love this option as well.
- Honeycrisp - Also on the sweeter side of the scale, Honeycrisp holds up well for candied apples.
Recipe Overview – What to Expect
- Gala Apples
- Read my notes above for apple varieties depending on what flavor profile you want for your candied apples. I love the sweetness of Gala so I chose those for today's recipe.
- Lollipop sticks
- These just make the whole treat feel like you're actually eating candy, plus it's also easier for dipping, drizzling, and serving. You want to make sure you're using a thick and durable skewer for your apples since you'll be dipping them in caramel.
- Muffin tin liners
- These make clean-up a breeze and ensure that whatever drizzles off, stays in place.
- Homemade salted caramel sauce
- You can use jarred caramel, or melt-down caramel candies for this recipe if you're pressed for time or want fewer steps. I love having homemade caramel on hand during the holiday season because it always gets used up!
- 1/2 white chocolate melting candies
- For a festive touch, I melted down white chocolate and dyed it. Dying the chocolate is optional and of course, you can use milk or dark chocolate if you don't have white on hand.
- Green food coloring (optional)
- I don't often use dyes when baking but I do think it's fun for a holiday treat. I do encourage finding all-natural food dyes which should be at your local grocer.
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- You can use dehydrated fruit bits, nuts, or seeds in place of coconut flakes.
- 1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles
- Mainly for decorative purposes, but I just love sprinkles on these.
- 1/4 cup black sugar crystals
- Like sprinkles, the sugar crystals are mainly for decorative purposes. I love going all out with these candied apples!
Homemade Candied Apple Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 candy apples 1x
Ingredients
- 6 Gala apples
- lollipop sticks
- muffin tin liners
- Homemade salted caramel sauce
- 1/2 white chocolate melting candies
- Green food coloring (optional)
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles
- 1/4 cup black sugar crystals
Instructions
- Wash apples then insert a lollipop stick at the stem of each. Set aside on a baking sheet with muffin tin liners.
- Prepare your desired toppings by setting each up in their own bowl.
- Prepare the homemade salted caramel sauce as directed or in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat, melt down your caramel candies in a double-boiler with ¼ cup milk. Stir regularly until the caramel is smooth.
- Dip each apple in the caramel sauce then in your desired toppings. I alternated dipping the apples in chocolate sprinkles and the coconut flakes. The sprinkle with sugar crystals.
- Place the apples in the muffin liner cups and let the caramel set.
- In the meantime, melt down the white chocolate and if desired add a few drops of green food coloring or orange for a festive Halloween touch.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over each apple and if desired, sprinkle again with extra sugar crystals or sprinkles.
- Let the apples set before serving and enjoy!
Notes
If you like you can dip some apples in chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds or peanuts) Finely chop 1 cup of desired nuts. You can also top with chopped candy pieces or candy corn. Get creative!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
And that is my Homemade Candied Apple Recipe. If you enjoyed this recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!
Enjoy!
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Dawn says
Some great tips! There is always so much to do and learn with food blogging - sometimes it's overwhelming...love it though!! And these candy apples are so perfect for Halloween! Love how easy they come together 🙂
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, Love your food blog and your recipes! I'm just not focused enough nor do I/we cook enough to write one so we appreciate other's efforts. My better half will love this candy apple recipes! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Dan Zehr says
Oh God, these candy apples are incredible! I want to eat them every day. Looks very tasty. I am sure that my children will be delighted with them. And thanks for the great advice this is really a great job!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I actually order them online every year and if you were selling yours I would be ordering these right now since they look fabulous! my favorite!
Gloria says
These look so good. You could see these at a bake sale...and have a line up of customers. Your photos are beautiful, and I can just imagine how these would taste.
Noel Lizotte says
Some good tips on blogging / photography editing here.
That's an area in which I keep growing and learning ... can't stop learning!
ps - those apples look decadent!
Liz says
It just wouldn't be fall without at least one caramel apple! I don't think I can hold off one more day!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
Candy apples are so epic. I love the gooeyness and then getting to decorate AND eat them is so fun!
Lauren Vavala says
Oh my..I haven't had a candied apple in so long! This would be so fun (and delicious) to make with my kids!
Marisa Franca says
I read every word and I usually skim. I'm always trying to improve my photography. I've never heard of Fotor -- I'd love to know more about it. My camera is a Nikon 7200. I love it. I still have a lot to learn about it. Your apples look wonderful!! I really want to take a bite out of it. Thank you for the tips -- I'm going to have to go back and read what else you wrote.
Mirlene says
The apples look great!! I have heard of Fotor but have never used it. Your pictures are stunning!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, it's me again. Does Fotor handle RAW files? I only shoot in RAW.
Living the Gourmet says
Dear Marisa, I am so glad to hear you found this article helpful and informative. I am always happy to help! Unfortunately, however, Fotor does not handle RAW files. So sorry about that! If you have any more questions always feel free to reach out. I am happy to help.
Veena Azmanov says
Some really great tips on this blog and I am eyeing those candy apples. Love making them this time of the year. So fun. My kids would be all over this.
Chad says
You can't do this to us, you can't! I am literally drooling!!! This looks so delicious!!!
Stacie says
I'm so hungry now! That is such a great giveaway, too. As an avid fan of Fotor, I know one winner is going to be soooo happy.
Katie says
These look so good! I love photos that look more authentic rather than perfectly spotless. I did stop watermarking photos though, it made my site too cluttered and I've changed my branding a few times to make way for growth.
Alexandra says
I really enjoyed reading your post. I have been wanting to up my photography game for a long time, for my food blog - I have learnt a lot 🙂
India says
Thank you for these helpful tips, I am always trying to figure out how to photograph food for my blog. These also looks so delicious!
Catherine Santiago Jose says
This is such a nice food blog and I really enjoyed reading this. It leaves my mouth watering upon seeing this candy apple photo it looks so delicious.
Michelle Leslie says
I've just recently started using Fotor and really enjoy it. That being said I've only played around with the collages and I wasn't even aware of all the other features. I'm going to have to experiment 😀 We're not doing much for Halloween since our kids are both away at college and it's not fund without them. But we will have some candy for any little one who pop around for a treat or two
Swathi says
This candied apple looks delicious love this post it is really informative. Food photography is game mastering them is not that easy. You are helping others that is wonderful.
eli says
these look so delicious! i've always loved the look of candy apples but every time i eat them my teeth just hurt right away haha
NAti says
Your candied apple look mouthwatering! So I really appreciate all these photo and food blogging tips, whenever I take a pic to my food it looks terrible!
Dayna Hoskin says
I was meaning to make candy apples for halloween this year, and completely ran out of time! Will have to bookmark this recipe for next year!
Preet says
Oh, I am badly craving for this! This is so good, this will be a huge hit! This would disappear in no time at our house!
Elizabeth O says
Such a great tips! Candied apples really looks delicious and I love how you shoot photos.
Tash says
There are some really great tips here, thanks so much for sharing
Fibi Tong says
They look very yummy! Can I have a bite? hhaha
Becca Talbot says
A big fan of your food blog, your recipes are always so simple to follow! Didn't realise how much effort goes into recipe photography before now! x
Angela Fernando says
as a person who loves cooking I always look for ideas online! This is great!
Jasmine Hewitt says
the candy apples look really good! its been a few years snce I made some, so i'll try your way
Liz Siemers says
What a wonderful post! I’ve never heard of fodor, I use PicMonkey mostly to edit my photos. I loved hearing your tips and how you switch things up for the seasons! It’s a nice reminder to keep learning and evolving and not get stuck in a rut! Also I totally want to try making my own caramel sauce next year! Those photos of caramel apples look like perfection!!!
Courtney says
You have made some great points about the pros and cons of both DSLRs and smartphones for photography. I use both, depending on what I am looking for in the shot and definitely there are advantages and drawbacks to both.
Shelley says
It's always so insightful to get a peek at how other food photographers and bloggers work - what their favorite tools are, what their workflow's like, even how they mentally approach their images and create their own personal style. So interesting! And your gorgeous candy apple recipe was a perfect backdrop for this lesson!
Chastity says
When it comes to blogging content and photos are key. I am still trying to make a photo stand out it’s all about creativity as well. Thanks for the editing apps, always looking for more. Plus this recipe is so on point, yummy!
Anna Hettick says
I've never made candies apples but these look super yummy! Great blogging tips! Food blogging is such hard work!
Renee Gardner says
These candy apples are so pretty!! Much fancier than the ones I've seen. I wish I would have found this recipe last week!
Jess says
This article is right up my alley. So glad to read it! I often shoot food photography on my blog and the more tips the better! Plus, those candied apples look delicious😋
Michelle says
Wow, such a great post. Some really useful tips here and those candied apples look amazing!
Shannon says
I have never heard of Fotor before. There are just so many options out there for editing food photos! It’s always interesting to learn what others are doing! Thanks for sharing your insight!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Candied apples are the best! Just look at that oozing caramel, yum!! And they are so fun to decorate too. Great pictures!
Julie says
What great info -- and great photography! I always love pictures with a person in them, like your dipping the apples shot. Beautiful!
Vanessa Vickery says
Love all the tips!!I just got the new iPhone xs max and the camera is amazing so will try some food pics on it in comparison to my canon dslr.
Sharon says
Thank you so much for all this info and for the delicious caramel apple recipe!
Eileen Kelly says
Your info to start a blog and the use of cameras and Fotor are helpful for anyone wanting to start a blog! I absolutely love your caramel apples! So festive and delish!
Shannon Gurnee says
I love looking at the different recipe blog posts. Isn't amazing how much time and effort it actually takes to write a blog post (including the pictures)?!!
Nicole says
Oh my goodness that first photo is awesome! I love candied apples and looking at them on your site suddenly makes me want one.
Emily Leary says
I have come a long way with my photography in 7.5 years of food blogging, but there's always lots more to learn for sure. I used a Canon and love it - I can't imagine switching now.