[1] Candy apples are a Halloween favorite (photo © Sevenmarie Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0).

[2] Add some protein and decoration with chopped nuts or seeds (photo © M. Studio | Fotolia).

[3] Instead of hobby store sticks, gather twigs (photo © Foodie Crush | Go Bold With Butter).

Today we present candy apples: the same concept, but with a hard, crackly red candy coating instead of the softer caramel.

The practice of coating fruit in sugar syrup dates back to ancient times. In addition to tasting good, honey and sugar were used as preserving agents to keep fruit from rotting.

> The recipe is below.

> So are more candy apple recipes.

> The year’s 19 apple holidays.

> The history of apples.

> The history of candy apples and caramel apples.

> The history of Halloween.
 
 
THE HISTORY OF CANDY APPLES & CARAMEL APPLES

Who Invented Candy Apples

According to FoodTimeline.org, food historians generally agree that caramel apples (toffee apples) probably date to the late 19th century.

Both toffee and caramel candies (the difference) can be traced to the early decades of the 18th century. Inexpensive toffee and caramels became available by the end of the 19th century. Culinary evidence confirms soft, chewy caramel coating from that time.

Red cinnamon candy apples came later. And, while long associated with Halloween, they were originally Christmas fare, not a Halloween confection.

According to articles in the Newark Evening News in 1948 and 1964, the red candy apple was invented in 1908 by William W. Kolb, a local confectioner.

Experimenting with red cinnamon candies for Christmas, he dipped apples into the mixture, and the modern candy apple was born. The tasty treat was soon being sold at the Jersey Shore, the circus, and then in candy shops nationwide.

Red candy apples were once a popular trick-or-treat booty. Beginning in the 1960s, they became less popular when news reports scared the public into thinking that sociopaths were inserting razor blades or needles into the apples. (This was later exposed as a hoax.)

As a precaution, newscasters advised parents that their children should accept only factory-sealed, packaged candy. Candy bar companies jumped on the opportunity to advertise their packaged candies as the “safe alternative” for Halloween treats. Parents would sort through the candies kids brought back to discard any unwrapped, loose treats (and they still do).
 
 
Caramel Apples Arrive Later

Caramel apples debuted many years later.

Walker said that he created the treat while experimenting with excess caramels from Halloween sales.

While caramel apples were dipped by hand for the first decade or so, Vito Raimondi of Chicago made and patented the first automated caramel apple machine in 1960 [source].

National Candy Apple Day and National Caramel Apple Day are both celebrated on October 31st, Halloween.
 
 
RECIPE: CANDY APPLES

You can whip up a batch in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

 
You can also host a candy apple party. Here’s how.
 
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*Boiling water removes any wax from the apples and helps the coating to adhere. Alternatively, you can soak them for a few minutes in hot tap water with a dash of cider vinegar, then remove and polish dry with a soft cloth. You can also purchase Veggie Wash, a spray solution that removes the wax from fruits and vegetables.
 
 

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

Here’s a different approach to caramel apples (also called toffee apples*): Use pretty twigs instead of the same old predictable wood popsicle/craft sticks.

The recipe comes from the book Sugar, Sugar: Every Recipe Has a Story, by Kimberly “Momma” Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero. The book will be published on October 25th, but you can order it now.

First, send the kids to the backyard or the park in search of twigs. Look for twigs that are about five inches long, although anything from four to six inches will do.

Note that this is a quick recipe for busy mommas. If you make caramel from scratch, you’ll notice the superior taste.

And if you prefer sugar-free treats, get sugar-free caramels. Here’s a recipe.

> There are more caramel apple recipes below.

> The year’s 19 apple holidays are below.

> The history of caramels.

> The history of apples.

> The history of candy apples and caramel apples.

> The history of Halloween.
 
 
CARAMEL APPLE RECIPE

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. DE-STEM the apples, wash and drop into boiling water for 10 seconds. This removes any wax from the apples and helps the coating adhere. Alternatively, you can soak the apples for a few minutes in a bowl of hot tap water with a splash of vinegar (known as a “vinegar wash”) or clean them with a produce wash such as Veggie Wash, a spray solution that removes the wax from fruits and vegetables.

2. REMOVE and polish the apples dry with a soft cloth. You may also wish to let the apples air dry for an hour, to be sure all the moisture is gone. (Moisture hinders the coating from adhering properly.)

3. RINSE the twigs under water and set aside to dry.

4. LINE a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.

5. CRUSH the toppings and put them in separate bowls.

6. USE a sharp paring knife to cut a small “X” in the top of each apple where the stem was. Gently push the twig down into the center of the apple.

7. PLACE the Caramel Bits and the water in a medium glass bowl or other microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave (be careful not to burn yourself—it will be hot).

8. STIR the caramel with a wooden spoon until all the bits are melted. If necessary, heat in additional 30-second increments until caramel is thoroughly melted and smooth. Let the caramel sit 1 to 2 minutes, until it is thick enough to coat an apple. If it is runny like water, the coating will drip off the apple.

9. CAREFULLY SWIRL the apple in the caramel, making sure it is completely coated. Tilt the bowl as needed. You may need to spoon the caramel around the top rim. Let the caramel drip off the bottom of the apple onto wax paper. Then…

10. ROLL the apples in the desired topping(s). Once coated, place the apples on wax paper to set for a minimum of 30 minutes to one hour. Enjoy your twiggy treat or store it in the refrigerator.
 
 
MORE CARAMEL & CHOCOLATE APPLE RECIPES

 
 
THE YEAR’S 19 APPLE HOLIDAYS

*Caramel and toffee are part of a family of butter-and-sugar confections that also includes butterscotch. Here’s the difference. Often, red candy apples, coated with a colored sugar syrup, are called toffee apples. This is incorrect. The terms caramel apple and toffee apple can be used interchangeably.

†These little caramel balls melt easily and provide the perfect consistency for caramel apples.
However, you can cut up and melt full-size caramels, too. We do this with our favorite gourmet caramels, as we prefer the flavor.
 
 

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

Pheasant, buffalo, duck, rabbit and
venison…for dogs. Photo courtesy Evanger’s.

Canned pheasant for dogs!

Evanger’s Grain Free 100% Pheasant Canned Dog Food is made with only one ingredient: pheasant, in some pheasant broth.

The rich food is recommended as a mixed/topper. Not only is it gourmet, but it’s also great for pets with food allergies and sick dogs/fussy eaters.

And that’s not all: Canine connoisseurs can enjoy buffalo (more accurately, bison—here’s the difference), duck, rabbit and venison.

While we don’t write about products we haven’t tasted, this is the exception.

Treat your pup with a can or two. While you’re at it, get a smoked pheasant—for yourself and any other humans you’d like to treat.