Candy apples for a gourmet Christmas
Ah, the holiday season! That special time when we return to heart-warming traditions, when childhood memories resurface with tenderness, and when we share precious moments with those we love. It's a time of twinkling lights, sweet smells that fill the house, and little treats that bring everyone together.
Candy apples are all this and more: a simple yet magical treat, with the perfect balance between the sweet crunch of caramel and the tart freshness of apples. Just looking at them makes you want to fall back into childhood. And they don't just seduce the little ones: grown-ups too can fall for them, delighted to rediscover a little of that festive carefree spirit.
In this article, I'm going to show you how easy it is to prepare these little wonders at home. You don't need a thousand ingredients or complicated equipment: just a few simple steps, a little love (of course!) and you're all set. So get ready to wow your loved ones with a recipe that's sure to sparkle the eyes and delight the taste buds!
Ingredients
To prepare these gourmet candy apples you'll need:
200 ml water
400 g. sugar
30 g. butter
a little red food colorant
Preparing the candied apples
Step 1: Preparing the caramel
Start by preparing the caramel. Mix the water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to the boiling point, watching carefully. If you have a kitchen thermometer, let it cook until it reaches a temperature of 150°C. Without a thermometer, this corresponds to about 10 minutes of boiling, but keep an eye on it to prevent the caramel from burning.
Step 2: Preparing the apples
In the meantime, prepare the apples: wash and dry them thoroughly, then insert a stick into the center of each one, making sure it's well embedded so you can handle the apples easily.
Step 3: Soaking the apples
Once the caramel has reached the right temperature, add the butter and coloring. Mix well. You should see bubbles appear on the mixture. Without waiting, dip the apples one by one in the caramel and roll the stick between your fingers until the apples are well coated with caramel. This step should be carried out quickly, as the caramel tends to harden quickly. Drain lightly, then arrange the apples on parchment paper. Leave to dry for 30 minutes before removing from the paper. They are best eaten within two days of preparation.
Enjoy!
