8 sm. Red Delicious apples
8 wooden sticks
3 c. sugar
1/2 c. light corn syrup
1/4 c. red-hot candies
1/2 tsp. red food coloring

1. Wash and thoroughly dry apples. Insert wooden stick part of the way through stem end of each apple.

2. Grease large cookie sheet; set aside.

3. In medium saucepan over medium heat, bring remaining ingredients and 1 cup water to boiling, stirring until sugar and candy are dissolved.

4. Set candy thermometer in place and continue cooking, without stirring, until temperature reaches 290 degrees or until a small amount of mixture dropped into cold water separates into thin, hard threads--about 20 minutes.

5. Immediately remove syrup from heat and dip apples. Tip saucepan and swirl each apple in mixture to coat evenly; lift out apple and swirl over saucepan a few more seconds to catch drip. Place apples on greased cookie sheet to cool.

6. Work quickly before syrup hardens. If it does harden, place over low heat to soften.

7. Cool at least 1 hour before serving.

8. Yield: 8 candy apples.