Black Candy Apples

Black Candy Apples (or Poison Candy Apples) are the perfect treat to make for your Halloween celebrations. Spooky and fun, kids love ’em.

Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s time to kick those treats up a notch. How about some dark, shiny, almost hypnotic apples that look as if they were handpicked by a witch from a magical orchard? I’m talking about these super fun Black Candy Apples!

They’re the perfect Halloween treat that’s as wickedly beautiful as it is delicious. You won’t find these at your average grocery store! With their stunning appearance and crackling hard candy shell, these black beauties will cast a spell on everyone who lays eyes on them!

So, friends, this is how you conjure up some of the most wickedly delicious Black Candy Apples! You can hand them out as treats or make them the centerpiece of your Halloween spread.

Or you can even gift them as edible “poison apples” to friends and family (they’re 100% safe to eat haha). They’re a dark twist on a fall favorite that everyone will love!

Common Questions About Black Candy Apples

Can I Use Different Types of Apples?

Absolutely, but Granny Smith apples are the star of the show here. Their tartness balances the sweetness of the sugar mixture perfectly. Don’t let the recipe stop you from try out new types, though. You’ve got a whole host of different apples to pick from at this time of year!

Do I Need a Candy Thermometer?

Yes, it’s crucial for getting the candy mixture to the right temperature. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. Your candy thermometer should read 290 degrees F.

This is just below what’s called the hard-crack stage in candy-making. It’ll give your coating a great texture for the perfect Poison Candy Apples.

How Do I Get That Bubbly Effect on the Apples?

If you want to add a little twist, dip the apples while bubbles are still present in the hot candy coating. It’ll add to the spooky look of your candy apples!

For a smooth finish, just wait for the bubbles to disappear. If you do it just right, you might see your reflection in them!

Storage

I don’t plan on storing these, typically. Whether it’s kids or adults, people will gobble these up by the end of the day. Try it and you’ll see, haha!

Refrigerator

Once the candy coating is fully hardened, store the dipped apples in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Place them on a sheet of parchment paper so they don’t stick.

Freezer

I wouldn’t recommend freezing these; the texture may change, and not for the better.

Tips

The look of these Poison Candy Apples on the serving platter is seriously next level. That black candy coating looks spooky and delicious all at once. It’s a great addition to any Halloween party!

• Use wooden sticks instead of popsicle sticks for a more rustic look.
• Cook sugar mixture over medium-high heat for the best results.
• Remove any air bubbles in the candy mixture for a smoother finish.
• Spray a light coat of cooking spray on parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Ingredients

Pretty simple ingredients, right? I love to keep things as simple as possible. Do this recipe just a few times and you’ll probably know it by heart!

• Granny Smith apples
• Granulated sugar
• Water
• Corn syrup
• Black food dye
• Salt
• Vanilla extract

How to Make Black Candy Apples

Here we go! I’m really excited to have you serve these candy apples at your next spooky gathering. When you’re done making them, they’ll be a sight to behold!

1. Clean the wax coating off of the apples by soaking them in a vinegar/water mixture. The candy won’t stick to the apples if the coating is present. Dry well.
2. Remove the stems and push a wooden stick into the center of each apple.
3. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
4. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup, and black food dye.
5. Cook over medium-high heat and stir everything together to combine.
6. Place the candy thermometer in the pan and bring to a boil it should reach 290 degrees Fahrenheit (this could take about 8-10 minutes).
7. Once the candy coating reaches 290 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the heat. 
8. CAREFULLY add the salt and vanilla extract and stir together.
9. Dip each prepared apple into the saucepan and coat fully. Swirl it a couple of times to get a thick, dark black coating. Lift from the liquid candy and let the excess drip off.
10. Place the coated apple back on the parchment-covered baking sheet.
11. Repeat with the rest of the apples and let cool until hardened. 

Notes:

If you would like a more bubbly look on th these Poison Candy Apples, dip them while the bubbles are still in the candy coating after removing them from the heat.

For no bubbles at all, stir while the candy coating is off the heat until they have all disappeared. Then dip the apples in the coating.

Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Black Candy Apples

Make sure you have sturdy wooden sticks for these. The apples are heavy and the candy coating only adds to that. The last thing you want are sticks snapping and candy apples dropping!

• Wooden sticks
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Heavy-bottomed saucepan
• Candy thermometer
• Wooden spoon

What to Serve With Black Candy Apples

Think of these as standalone stars for your Halloween party. But if you’re going all out with your Halloween platter options, consider adding:

• Halloween cookies
• Pumpkin spice lattes
• Peeled grape “eyeballs”
• Turkey beaks (bacon-wrapped jalapenos)
• Hot cocoa
• A spooky musical playlist!

Why You Should Make Black Candy Apples

It’s great to have treats like these to level up your Halloween party. Trust me. Bring these out on a platter and every last person in the crowd will notice them. Especially the kids!

• The Perfect Halloween Treat: These are show-stoppers for any Halloween gathering.
• Easy Yet Impressive: Minimal ingredients and steps, with a bewitching result.
• Taste Balance: The tart green apples offset the sweet, hard candy coating.
• Instagram-Worthy: These are not just food; they’re a statement.

Variations and Add-Ins for Black Candy Apples

If you’re a fan of these Poison Candy Apples, I’m sure you can think of a few additions for these. Check out this short list if you need to get your brain churning!

• Red Candy Apples: Swap the black food coloring for red for a Snow White-inspired treat.
• Toffee Twist: Sprinkle some crushed toffee on the apples while the coating is still warm.
• Go Nutty: Roll the bottom of the apple in chopped nuts for extra crunch.
• Rainbow Dream: Create different colors by dividing the sugar mixture and using different food colorings.

Got a great idea for a variation? Had success making these for the first time? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

If you love this fun Halloween recipe, you’re going to love these other SPOOKY treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

MORE FUN TREATS

Broken Glass Cupcakes

Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

Mummy Brownies

Halloween Snack Mix

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