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Candied Apple Hearts Recipe

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4.1 from 49 reviews

These Candied Apple Hearts are a delightful Valentine’s Day treat featuring crisp Granny Smith apple slices shaped into charming hearts and coated in a glossy, red candy caramel. Perfectly sweet and tangy, decorated with festive sprinkles, these treats are both eye-catching and delicious, ideal for celebrating love with a fun homemade dessert.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 7 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Apples

  • 2 Granny Smith apples

Candy Coating

  • 1½ cups white granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 3 drops red food dye

Decoration and Prep

  • Valentine’s sprinkles
  • Water + lemon or lime juice (for soaking apples to prevent browning)

Instructions

  1. Slice Apples: Cut each Granny Smith apple into 8 slices to prepare for shaping.
  2. Prepare Soaking Water: Fill a bowl with water and add a splash of lemon or lime juice to prevent the apple slices from browning.
  3. Create Heart Shapes: Trim each apple slice on a slight diagonal to remove seeds and form a half-heart shape.
  4. Prevent Browning: Place the trimmed apple slices immediately in the citrus water to keep them fresh.
  5. Dry Slices: After all slices are prepared, remove them from the water and pat them dry on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Insert Toothpicks and Pair Slices: Insert a toothpick into each slice, then pair two matching slices together to form full heart shapes.
  7. Freeze Apple Hearts: Freeze the apple hearts for 1 hour and 30 minutes to firm them up for dipping.
  8. Start Candy Preparation: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, sugar, and water.
  9. Boil Candy Mixture: Stir continuously until the mixture begins to boil, then continue heating until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) using a candy thermometer.
  10. Remove from Heat and Add Color: Remove the pan from heat once 300°F is reached, let bubbling settle, and stir in the red food coloring evenly.
  11. Prepare for Dipping: Take the apple hearts out of the freezer and work quickly due to fast firming caramel.
  12. Dip and Coat Apples: Dip each apple slice into the red caramel, allowing excess to drip off.
  13. Decorate and Form Hearts: Immediately sprinkle candy decorations over the dipped slice, hold briefly, then place on parchment.
  14. Assemble Heart Pairs: Repeat the dipping and decorating process for the matching slice, then gently press it against its pair to form a complete heart shape.
  15. Complete and Set: Continue until all apple slices are coated and paired into hearts.
  16. Final Steps: Let the candy coating fully set, then carefully remove the toothpicks and serve your festive candied apple hearts.

Notes

  • Use citrus juice in the soaking water to prevent apples from browning before coating.
  • Work quickly once the caramel is ready as it hardens fast at 300°F.
  • Use a candy thermometer to ensure caramel reaches the hard crack stage for proper coating.
  • For best results, dip apples when cold and dry.
  • Handle toothpicks carefully to avoid injury when serving to children.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/candied-apple-hearts-recipe/