Candied apples......I can still remember as a child when they would appear in the grocery store and the excitement that built knowing that autumn was just around the corner.
Nowadays candied apples have taken on a whole new dessert category with all the gourmet flavors you can imagine. It sure was fun to "spice up" these candied apple cookies and add all kind of yummy treats to them.
To make these cookies, it is important to remove any stem on these apple cookies since you're going to put a stick in place of the stem. As seen below, trim the stems off the cookies before baking and carefully push a food grade stick into the top of each apple cookie.
Once the cookies are baked and cooled, make a mixture of red dust (and/or green dust, if desired) and vodka (or clear extract, i.e. almond) to paint on the tops of the apples as shown below.
For caramel apple cookies, outline and flood most of the apple shape with golden brown glaze as shown below. While the glaze is still wet, cover the top with desired topping and shake off the excess. Possible toppings include chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles, and coconut.
For shiny red candied apples, outline and flood the apple with red glaze as shown below.
After the glaze has dried for several hours (or overnight), paint over the red glaze with a mixture of red "poppy" dust and corn syrup.
