Cotton Candy Swirl Apples (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 4 medium apples
02 - 2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup water
04 - ¼ cup light corn syrup
05 - Food coloring (any colors of your choice)
06 - 1 bag of cotton candy (various colors)
07 - Lollipop sticks or wooden skewers

# Instructions:

01 - Start with the foundation of your treat - the apples! Give them a thorough wash and completely dry them (this is crucial as any moisture will prevent the candy coating from sticking properly). Once dried, firmly insert a lollipop stick or wooden skewer into the top of each apple, pushing it about halfway through to ensure it's secure.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, and light corn syrup. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally until the mixture comes to a boil. The corn syrup helps prevent crystallization, giving you that perfect glossy candy shell. Let the mixture boil without stirring until it reaches the hard-crack stage (about 300-310°F on a candy thermometer if you have one).
03 - Once your candy mixture has reached the proper temperature, remove it from the heat. This is where the magic happens! Add a few drops of your chosen food coloring and gently swirl the pan to distribute the color throughout the syrup. You can go bold with vibrant hues or subtle with pastel tones - get creative with your color choices!
04 - Allow the hot candy mixture to cool slightly for about a minute - you want it still fluid but not burning hot. Tilt the saucepan slightly and carefully dip each apple, rotating it to ensure an even coating all around. Let any excess drip off, then twirl the apple gently to help spread the coating evenly. Work fairly quickly as the candy will start to set as it cools.
05 - Place your freshly dipped apples onto a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking. Allow them to cool completely at room temperature until the candy coating hardens into a shiny, crisp shell. This usually takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
06 - For the whimsical finishing touch, gently take a handful of colorful cotton candy and carefully wrap it around the top of each apple, creating a fluffy, cloud-like effect. The cotton candy will contrast beautifully with the hard, shiny candy shell. If you're using multiple colors of cotton candy, try creating fun color combinations or gradients!

# Notes:

01 - These magical cotton candy swirl candy apples combine the satisfying crunch of a classic candy apple with the whimsical flair of cotton candy for a show-stopping treat.
02 - Add the cotton candy right before serving, as it will dissolve if exposed to humidity for too long.
03 - For extra flair, try swirling multiple colors in your candy coating or adding edible glitter to the mixture for a sparkly effect.

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