Candy Apple, also known as “toffee apple” in countries other than United States, is a red colored candy coated apple dessert that is popular in North America and other western countries as well. This confectionery is a common feature during festivities such as Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night, which are celebrated during the annual pple harvest that is a common sight every autumn. Though there are many similar desserts, the process of making candied apple is different from the rest. It is thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike.
History of Candied Apples
As per reports, Candy apple was first made by William W. Kolb, a Newark candy-maker, in the year 1908. During Christmas that year, Kolb experimented by dipping whole apples on a stick into red cinnamon candy mixture. All the apples he made were sold at 5 cents each and thereafter he started selling thousands of these cinnamon candied apples. The recipe gained popularity and spread to the Jersey Shore and then to the circus and other candy stores across the country. By 1948, 40 years after the first invention, most of the stores sold these candied apples, which was a hit especially with kids. The recipe also spread to other countries such as UK.
Significance of Toffee Apples in other Countries
It is a well-known fact that Candy apple is a part of the Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night festivities in North America, especially during the annual apple harvest. These same candied apples are part of the Christmas celebrations in Germany as they resemble the red bulbs hung on the Christmas tree. They are usually stuffed into stocking handing by the fireplace and the kids enjoy this ritual. They are also sold in carnivals and fairs, which is a common sight even in Canada. Brazil celebrates the festival in honor of John the Apostle and candied apples are common during these festivities.
Ingredients Used in Candy/Toffee Apples.
The key ingredients of candy apple are nice, firm and tart apples such as Granny Smith and red cinnamon candy. Apples are best complimented with cinnamon. Other than these, corn syrup, sugar, water and red food coloring too are necessary to make the required sugar syrup.
Preparation of Candied Apples
Firm apples such as Granny Smith are washed and kept aside. All ingredients except apples are boiled together till the syrup reaches the “hard rock” stage. At this point the syrup is taken off the fire and the apples are dipped held on a stick. The sugar would harden in a short while.
Candied Apple Variations
Over years many variations of candy apple have evolved and each one is delicious in its own way. Some popular variations and similar candied apples are –
- Jelly Apples – These apples are similar to candied apples; however, they have a softer outer candy coating that resembles and feels soft like jelly. The jelly is usually cherry flavored unlike cinnamon flavoring in the original recipe of candied apple. Jelly apples are even sprinkled with coconut.
- Tanghulu – These are a common sight in China, where different fruits such as bananas, pineapple, mandarin orange, blueberries, grapes, etc., are coated with sugar syrup and at times even with chocolate syrup.
- Caramel Apple Pops – These are green apple flavored hard candy that have a caramel coating, similar to Caramel apple. These lollipops are also available in Golden and Red Macintosh apple flavors.
Candied Apples – Trivia
- It is advisable to be cautious while biting into candy apple, as the exterior is hard unlike caramel apple which has a soft exterior. However, candied apples are thoroughly enjoyable if eaten slowly without biting too hard into the apple.
- Apples should not be candied in summer, as the humid climate does not let the sugar coating to harden.
- In the 1960’s and 1970’s, when candy apple was popular with kids during Halloween, hysteria was spread that these apples contained razor blades and pins. Hospitals offered free X-ray tests to check for foreign objects in the apples.