Monday, November 2, 2009

Candy Apples and Halloween Parties

Candy Apples

Happy Halloween Everyone!

For a second year running Ian and I found ourselves knee deep in 60 pounds of apples that we picked during the notorious apple season in Quebec. Lately we’ve been searching high and low for the best recipes to use up these apples, hence the past two posts! As Halloween grew nearer we figured “Hey, what else have we got in the cupboard that could accompany these apples?”

sticks…. check
sugar….check
light corn syrup… check
red food dye… check
apples… double check

And within 20 minutes, these gorgeous red candy apples were born! Yes seriously, from the beginning till the time that the first one is in your tummy there is a grand total of 20 minutes spent.

Not only are they simply delicious, but they truly do bring back memories of being four feet tall and crying until someone bought you one of those large red apples. If you have any extra apples leftover and can successfully check off the above list, give them a try, they’re worth it!

Christie with Candy Apple

Also, this being a Happy Halloween post, here are a few pictures from a truly ghoulish Halloween party put on by our friend Marc. I’m pretty sure that when he moved into his apartment he only brought boxes full of Halloween decorations because the second we walked in we were transported to another nightmarish universe! Every single inch was decorated and the details were incredible! Ian went as a 1940’s press photographer and was able to get some amazing shots; while I was a Cigarette Girl from the 1920’s who handed out Popeye candy cigarettes.


Candy Apples
adapted from Martha Stewart

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon red food coloring
12 apples

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, corn syrup, and food coloring. Bring to a boil over high heat. Insert candy thermometer and continue to boil until temperature reaches between 300 degrees and 310 degrees (hard crack stage), about 10-15 minutes.
Insert a wooden stick into the top of each apple, pushing about halfway through; set aside. When mixture reaches temperature, immediately remove from heat. Working quickly, dip apples in sugar mixture until completely coated. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; allow to cool for 5 minutes.



Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

6 comments:

Simones Kitchen said...

Ooo, those costumes!! Some pretty scary ones, but you look very lovely in the cigarette girl costume.. Great idea on the apples too. I am going to make apple clafoutis in a few minutes. Not sure what else will end up in it, but should be good!

And great photos Ian!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Cany apples remind me of the fall faire as a child and everything that is magical as a child related to Hallowe'en.

Valérie said...

Sounds like you had fun! I pretty much skipped Halloween this year, too much work... I love the idea of your costumes, and of making them go with what you were doing at the party (taking pictures and handing out sweets). Happy belated Halloween!

Hilary said...

Wow, you guys are really into costumes, aren't you? You look awesome!!

Evelyne@Cheap Ethnic Eatz said...

OMG the pics and costumes are amazing. So do the candy apples!

A.D said...

sweeeeet candided apples .. cue that "carolyne song..." tou lou lou , something something delicious
sweeeet candided apples ... tou lou lou someting really worth your time...

tou lou lou ....

Ok so I don't really have the EXACT lyrics down yet. I do believe I could use another juicy / sweet apple fix :P Might help me remember.

Oh and did she mention... there was a smoke machine in the cemetary past the blade infested couch. Congrats to the Host & Hostess for a bichin' crypt !