There’s nothing more autumnal than a candy apple. Visiting a county fair or harvest festival to enjoy a sweet, crunchy, sticky treat is a seasonal favorite. This Jolly Rancher Candy Apple puts the tart, fruit-flavored candy coating right on a crisp apple, instantly evoking childhood memories and the crisp cool weather.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Simple and fast: This project takes about 15 minutes and is surprisingly easy. It’s part recipe, part craft, and great for last-minute treats.
Customizable colors: You can make any color you like. The candy color and the apple’s skin interact, so choose combinations that pop: green apples work well for red, pink, or green Jolly Ranchers; red apples make blues and purples more vibrant. (No extra colorings required.)
Safety First
Melted candy is extremely hot and can cause serious burns. Wear oven mitts and have an adult handle the hot candy. The finished apples are kid-friendly, but the melting and dipping steps should be performed by someone experienced with hot liquids.
Ingredients
This recipe uses just two main ingredients:
- Jolly Ranchers: choose flavors and colors you like (about 27 oz / ~120 pieces total for roughly six apples)
- Apples: medium apples such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala (6 medium apples)
Tools
- Microwave-safe glass measuring cup (or a heatproof bowl)
- Parchment paper for cooling
- Wooden dowels or sturdy candy sticks
- Edible glitter spray or sprinkles (optional for decoration)
How to Make Jolly Rancher Candy Apples
- Wash and dry apples thoroughly to remove any waxy residue. Remove stems, then firmly push a wooden dowel or candy stick into the top of each apple until it reaches the core.
- Unwrap all Jolly Ranchers of one color and place them in a microwave-safe glass measuring cup or bowl. Plan for about 20 candies per apple. Microwave on high for 1–2 minutes, until the candy is fully melted and bubbling. Do not stir while heating.
- Holding the apple by the stick, quickly dip it into the melted candy. Rotate the apple as you lift it to remove air bubbles and let excess candy drip off. Set the coated apple onto parchment paper to cool and harden.
- Repeat melting and dipping for each color or apple as desired. To clear remaining candy from the measuring cup, pour in boiling water, scrape, then discard.
- When the coating has hardened, optionally spray with edible glitter or add sprinkles. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Storage
Wrap leftover apples individually in plastic candy bags or a sturdy plastic bag (avoid thin plastic wrap). Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; after that the candy coating can begin to soften and sweat. This recipe does not freeze well—thawing will make a sticky mess.
Recipe Tips
- Use a glass measuring cup with a spout for easy pouring and handling of hot candy; the handle helps keep fingers away from heat.
- Leave space between apples on the cooling sheet. If candy coatings touch before they harden, the apples will stick together.
- Add sprinkles or other decorations while the candy is still tacky, or lightly apply edible glitter once the coating has set.
More Fun Halloween Recipes
- Frankenstein Oreos
- Oreo Spiders
- Graveyard Brownies
- Witch Hat Cookies
Jolly Rancher Candy Apple
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Equipment
- microwave-safe glass measuring cup
- parchment paper
- wooden dowels or candy sticks
- edible glitter spray (optional)
- plastic candy bags for storage
Ingredients
- 27 oz Jolly Ranchers (about 120 pieces total)
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala)
Instructions
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly, remove stems, and push a dowel into the top of each apple until it reaches the core.
- Unwrap all pieces of one chosen color and place them in a microwave-safe glass measuring cup or heatproof bowl. Estimate about 20 pieces per apple. Microwave on high 1–2 minutes until melted and bubbling; do not stir while heating.
- Carefully dip each apple into the melted candy, rotating to release air bubbles and letting excess drip off. Place on parchment paper to harden.
- Repeat the melting and dipping process with other colors or apples as desired. To clean the cup, add boiling water, scrape, and pour away the liquid.
- Once cooled and hardened, decorate with edible glitter or sprinkles and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided as a general guide.
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The recipe and photos are the property of Emily Enchanted© and may not be copied.