Description
These Jolly Rancher Candy Apples offer a fun and colorful twist on the classic candy apple, featuring a vibrant, hard candy coating made from melted Jolly Ranchers in assorted flavors. Perfect for parties or festive occasions, these apples are dipped in a glossy candy shell and can be decorated with sprinkles, nuts, or edible glitter for extra sparkle. The recipe is quick and easy, requiring only about 20 minutes of preparation and cooling time.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
Candy Coating
- 2–3 bags of Jolly Rancher hard candies (assorted flavors)
- 1–2 tablespoons of water
Equipment
- Wooden skewers or popsicle sticks
Toppings (Optional)
- Edible glitter for a sparkling effect
- Sprinkles, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut
- A drizzle of white or dark chocolate
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. To remove any wax coating, soak the apples in hot water and gently scrub them. Insert a wooden skewer or popsicle stick firmly into the center of each apple, ensuring it is secure for dipping.
- Melt the Jolly Ranchers (Stovetop Method): Unwrap the Jolly Ranchers and separate them by color if you want a specific pattern or blend. Place the candies into a heavy-bottomed saucepan along with 1–2 tablespoons of water. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the candies are fully melted and smooth.
- Melt the Jolly Ranchers (Microwave Method): Alternatively, place unwrapped candies in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until the candy is completely melted and even in texture.
- Dip and Coat the Apples: Tilt the saucepan or bowl to create a deep pool of melted candy. Holding the apple by the skewer, dip it into the melted candy, twisting to ensure an even coating. Let excess candy drip back into the pan. Before the candy hardens, roll the apple in toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut for added texture and flavor.
- Cool and Set: Place the coated apples on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow them to cool and set at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Do not refrigerate immediately, as condensation can cause the candy coating to become sticky. Once set, optionally drizzle with white or dark chocolate or sprinkle edible glitter for decoration.
Notes
- Use firm, fresh apples for the best texture and flavor.
- Be cautious when melting candy to avoid overheating, which can cause burning or grainy texture.
- If you want a single color candy coating, separate the different colored Jolly Ranchers before melting.
- Allow apples to cool fully at room temperature to ensure the candy coating hardens properly.
- Store coated candy apples in a cool, dry place and consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
- Handle hot melted candy carefully to avoid burns.
