6 sm. firm red apples
6 wooden skewers
2 c. sugar
1 c. water
2/3 c. light corn syrup
1 cinnamon stick
Red food coloring (optional)

Wash and dry apples; remove stems. Insert skewers in stem end of apples. Combine sugar, water, corn syrup, and cinnamon stick in a deep, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Then cook, without stirring, to the hard crack stage (290 degrees on the candy thermometer). Remove from heat; add red food coloring and remove cinnamon stick.

Hold each apple by skewer end and quickly twirl in syrup, tilting pan to cover apple with syrup. Remove from syrup. Allow excess to drip off, then twirl to spread syrup smoothly over apple. Place on a sheet of buttered aluminum foil to cool. Store in a cool place. Do not double recipe.