Black Poison Swirl Candy Apples

Ingredients:
– 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
– 2 cups granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup light corn syrup
– 1/2 cup water
– 1/2 teaspoon black gel food coloring
– 1/4 teaspoon purple gel food coloring
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract (optional)
– Candy apple sticks
Directions:
1. Start by washing and drying the apples thoroughly. To remove any wax from the apples, dip them in boiling water for a few seconds, then dry them completely.
2. Insert a candy apple stick into the center of each apple, pushing it in about halfway.
3. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved.
4. Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and allow the mixture to boil without stirring it. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature, cooking the mixture until it reaches 300°F (hard-crack stage).
5. As soon as the mixture reaches 300°F, remove the saucepan from the heat. Quickly stir in the black gel food coloring, purple gel food coloring, vanilla extract, and cinnamon extract (if using) until well combined.
6. Carefully dip each apple into the hot candy mixture, swirling it around to ensure even coating. Allow any excess candy to drip off before placing the coated apple on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Let the apples set and harden completely at room temperature before serving.
Tips & Variations:
1. To create an even more dramatic effect, you can drizzle additional melted black candy coating or chocolate over the set candy apples for a marbled look.
2. If you want a little extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the candy coating while it is still warm for a sweet and salty combination.