Swirled Candied Apples

Candied apples are delicious treats that should be enjoyed year-round. These are dipped and swirled in pink and white candy melts and decorated with sugar sprinkles.

I love to create swirls with candy melts! I did it with these marshmallow pops and with these strawberries. The effect is impressive yet deceptively easy to achieve. I’m back at it again and tried it with apples. The result is beauteous, I must say.

Candied apples are so pretty, but you don’t typically see them on the dessert table. I think they would make beautiful, not to mention tasty, for any occasion. As a matter of fact, they are an ideal treat because they offer both decadence and healthful benefits 🙂

These candied apples are easy to make. It might not seem like it by the lengthy list of steps in the recipe card. Don’t let that fool you. The instructions are detailed so you can replicate what you see here the first time around. I have also provided tips I learned to ensure that you will have success if you try this. But essentially, all you need to do to create the swirls is to dunk and twist!!!

Recipe highlights:

• Melt the white candy melts in the microwave.
• Dip the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of an apple into the candy melts. Remove.
• Add sugar sprinkles. Set aside, candy-coated side up.
• Continue coating the remaining apples.
• Insert a wooden skewer into the bottom end of an apple.
• Microwave pink candy melts. 
• Pipe pink candy melts, creating an asterisk design over the white candy melts.
• Dip the bare end of the apple into the candy melts with a twisting motion. Set aside.
• Coat and swirl the remaining apples.
• Remove the skewers once the candy melts and hardens.
• Insert cookie stick into the stem end of each apple.
• Tie the ribbon around the stick.
• Refer to the recipe card below for detailed instructions and tips.

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Helpful tips:

• Although candy melts are less prone to seizing than chocolate, they can seize. Be careful not to overheat.
• Using the right size bowl, create the best swirls. Bowls that are too small will not produce well-formed swirls. Using bowls that are too large will simply create too much waste. Bowls that are the height of the apple, about twice the diameter, are optimal.
• If you have difficulty inserting the cookie stick into the apple, use a skewer first to create an opening. The cookie stick should go into the apple more easily.

How to serve these:

If you had candied apples before, you know that the first bite might be a little challenging. To make it easier, half or quarter the apple before serving. If you want to slice into smaller wedges, the candy melts might break off or chip easily. So, my solution is to microwave the apple for 3 to 5 seconds to soften the candy melts before slicing. Any longer, and it might melt.

I hope you’ll try making these apples. While you’re at it, let your imagination go wild with variations. I used a two-tone color scheme, but try it with three! And instead of sparkling sugar, try sprinkles, chopped candy, or nuts.

These apples are perfect for any holiday or special occasion. All you need to do is change the color scheme to coincide with the occasion: Easter, Mardi Gras, game day, birthday parties, showers, the 4th of July, Christmas….and the list goes on!

Recommended supplies:

(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)

• Bamboo skewers and cookie sticks are needed for this recipe.
• White candy melts—the recipe requires 14 ounces. These come in 12 ounces size.
• Pink candy melts—this is a 12-ounce bag. You will need only 6 ounces.
• Parchment paper—this is unbleached and chlorine-free.
• Clear sugar sprinkles to make the apples extra pretty.
• Satin ribbons for decorating.

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Swirled Candied Apples

Author: Thao | In Good Flavor Cooking Method:No-Bake Cuisine:American Courses:Dessert Recipe Keys: V Vegetarian

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 45 minutesCook time: 5 minutesTotal time: 50 minutesServings:6 Servings

Description

Candied apples are delicious treats that should be enjoyed year-round. These are dipped and swirled in pink and white candy melts and decorated with sugar sprinkles.

Ingredients

• 6 small to medium apples
• 14 ounces white candy melts
• 6 ounces pink candy melts
• 1/4 cup clear sugar sprinkles
• 6 wooden skewers
• 6 6-inch cookie sticks
• ribbons for making bows

Instructions

1. Place the white candy melts in a microwaveable bowl twice as wide as the apples. Microwave for 1 minute at 50% power, stirring even if you don’t think it needs it. 
2. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir. The candy melts should become smoother as you continue to stir. If the candy melts are not smooth, microwave again for 30 seconds at 50%.
3. Remove stems from all the apples. 
4. Dip the bottom 1/3 to 1/2  of an apple into the candy melts. Lift out. Allow excess to drip into the bowl. Use a butter knife to swipe off any pooling.
5. Coat the candy melts with sugar sprinkles. Place the apple, candy-coated side up, onto a parchment paper-lined surface.
6. Continue coating the remaining apples. If the candy melts firm up during this process, microwave for about 15 seconds at 50% power and stir. Do not overheat, as it might seize.
7. Insert a wooden skewer into the bottom end of each apple.
8. Place the pink candy melts in a separate microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power, stirring even if you don’t think it needs it.
9. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir. The candy melts should become smoother as you continue to stir. If they are not smooth, microwave again for 20-30 seconds at 50% power.
10. Transfer the candy melts into a small plastic storage bag. Twist to close. Cut off the tip to create a 1/8-1/4-inch opening. Pipe an asterisk design across the bowl with the white candy melts.
11. Dip the bare stem end of the apple slowly into the candy melts while simultaneously rotating the apple at 180°.
12. Pull the apple straight up. Gently shake off drips. Using a butter knife, carefully wipe off excess candy melts without removing the swirls.
13. For the next 40 seconds, toggle between holding the apple upright and pointing it downward for 10-second intervals each. This allows the candy melts to start to set without pooling in any particular spot.
14. Set the apple aside and allow the candy melts to harden. 
15. The center of the pink asterisk design in the bowl will fade. Using the pink candy melts, reapply the asterisk to the faded area.
16. Continue to coat and swirl the remaining apples, reapplying the asterisk as needed.
17. Once the candy melts have hardened around the apples, twist and remove the wooden skewers.
18. Insert a cookie stick into the stem end of each apple. If it does not go through, use a wooden skewer to dig through, then try to reinsert the cookie stick.
19. Tie a bow around each cookie stick.
20. To serve, slice the apple into quarters. If you want smaller wedges, microwave the quarters for 3-5 seconds to slightly soften the candy melts before cutting. If you attempt to cut the apple into smaller wedges, the candy melts will chip easily. Softening it first prevents chipping.
21. Store at room temperature.

Notes

• It’s best to use a bowl that is about the height of the apple and at least twice as wide. The extra space is critical to the formation of the swirls.
• The amount of candy melts needed will increase if you use large apples and/or larger bowls. Larger bowls will create more waste. Stick to the recommended bowl size to avoid waste.
• The cooking time and number of intervals are based on a 1000W microwave oven. Adjust your cooking time based on your microwave’s wattage—stronger wattages require less time, and weaker wattages need more time.

Keywords:Candied Apples, Swirled, Candy Melts

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