6 medium apples
6 wooden skewers

CANDY COATING:

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups corn syrup (Karo)
1/3 cup cinnamon candy (Red Hots)
1 cup water
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cloves
3/4 tsp. red food coloring

Remove stems from apples, wash, and pat dry. Insert a wooden skewer in each apple, running through the apple from stem end to base without protruding all the way through the bottom end.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, cinnamon candies, and water in medium-sized saucepan. Cook until candies dissolve, stirring constantly. Be careful not to boil.

Add cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, and food coloring. Mix thoroughly.

Boil mixture to 300°F using a candy thermometer without stirring. While mixture is boiling, generously prepare a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray (Pam) so it's ready ahead of time.

As soon as mixture reaches 300°F, remove it from heat and quickly dip each apple-one by one-into the mixture until it is thoroughly coated. Set coated apples, standing on their bottoms with skewer pointing up, on baking sheet until mixture hardens.

Let apples reach room temperature before eating.

Makes 6 candy apples.

Cooks Note: Use of a candy thermometer is recommended.

Submitted by: Helen Arnold