MAKING CANDY APPLES: Store bought mix vs. Homemade recipe

In the spirit of Halloween and to mark off another activity on our fall bucket list we decided to make candy apples. Since I usually buy them yearly this turned out to be a real learning experience being that this was my first time ever making them.

( YOU WILL NEED A CANDY THERMOMETER FOR THIS!!)

I looked online for a recipe and headed out to the store to buy my supplies. While shopping I found that you can actually buy a pre-made mix. I went ahead and threw it in the cart just in case I fouled up on my first try and to test to see the differences in the two. 

Of course in both recipes you have to have your apples. I personally love the sweet Red Delicious apples but majority on the house like tart. So we used the Granny Smith Apples. Your first step is to wash and dry the apples, and remove the stems.

Next you insert the sticks down the center where the stems were. You can use Popsicle sticks or I found Candy Apple sticks at our local Lowes Foods store. With this step completed you can set your apples to the side.

RECIPE:

1. You'll need 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup,and 3/4 cup water

2. Mix sugar, corn syrup, and water in a small sauce pan (mine was a bit to big). set on burner turned to low to medium low. Stir mixture constantly, until all sugar is dissolved.

3. Continue letting mixture cook with out stirring for 30-45 minutes or when the thermometer reads 275-300. it's ready when a spoonful dipped in a glass of water hardens immediately. 

4. Stir in vanilla and food coloring. For a Halloween look I decided to make this batch of apples black. I told the kids they were black poison apples and they seemed to enjoy that idea.  I also did it so I could tell the batches apart.

5. Dip apples immediately into hot sugar mixture. hold each apple upright by the stick to coat. then let excess drip back into pan. 

6. Set coated apples on a greased cookie sheet upright until candy hardens, at least 1 hour.

*** I had intended on making 5 apples in each batch. I was only able to make 3 black apples. {{You have to devote your full attention to the dipping process or the sugar with harden or of on the burner it will burn}}  in my case I was trying to do two things at once and burned my sugar mix.***

And here is the finished product!! I will admit I did sneak in a couple drops of red food coloring to give it a deep black red color.  but they turned out pretty and tasted great.

PRE MADE MIX:

With the pre made mix all you have to supply is 2 1/2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water. the box contains the mix and sticks

With my second batch I used a small pot and it worked great. The directions are basically the same. You just add the mixture with the sugar and water. and stir till sugar is dissolved.

Allow to bubble till the thermometer reads 300 and it's time to coat the apples.

Once again, here is my finished product. :)

SIDE NOTE:

Both batches were super simple. one just required you to supply more than the other. They both require your full attention so I'd recommend doing this when you know your not going to have any distractions. Lastly taste!! The only difference between the two in taste was that the store bought batch was noticeable sweeter. But they both tasted great!!

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QUICK AND EASY DINNER FOR SIX- COWBOY SANDWICHES

  My husband dubbed these my cowboy sandwiches they are so simple and the family loves them.

I started out with 3LBs of thin cut Milanesa steak

Sliced into bite sized stripes

Cut off all unwanted fat

These are my seasons of choice for the meat

After seasoning I set the meat aside to marinate 

As a side I prefer white rice with a little beef bouillon to flavor. Now is a good time to preheat the oven to 400 degrees for the bread later.

Prepare by box instructions add bouillon to you liking. Personally I make enough servings for 8 so I add 2-3 cubes

Now is a good time to start sauteing 1 large sweet onion sliced. Once they are nice and transparent I set them aside in a bowl till the meat is done

In the same pan add about a TBSP of butter and brown meat

Now that meat is done add onions and let simmer with lid on till dinner is ready

To toast the bread I put a thin layer of butter on the bottom of my cookie sheet 

I also butter the top of the buns. For the kids I prefer to use hotdog buns they are the perfect size for smaller appetites 

My family loves white gravy on their rice. I just use this brand and I make it while the bread is toasting.

When oven reaches 400 degrees. put bread in for 5 mins

Flip an toast for 5 more mins

Add any veggie of your choice for your other side. My kids chose corn for tonight

you can top with shredded mozzarella cheese

Or as my husband prefers just smother in gravy

serve and you'll have a fan favorite!!

Featuring this post at on the Food Renegade at http://www.foodrenegade.com/fight-back-friday-october-12th/