_{Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Rachel Haas}

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 3/4 cups apple cider

1/2 cup brandy

2/3 cup cinnamon-flavored candies (such as red hots)

1 3/4 cups sugar

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

12 wooden craft sticks

12 small Granny Smith apples, washed and dried

Preparation

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; coat paper with cooking spray. Combine cider and brandy in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 3/4 cup (about 14 minutes). Add candies to pan, stirring constantly until melted. Add sugar and salt, stirring just until sugar dissolves. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 310° (about 8 minutes). Remove from heat; let cool to 210° (about 15 minutes).

2. Stick craft sticks in apples; dip apples in hot syrup. Place apples on prepared baking sheet; cool until set.

Serves 12

Borrowed from Cooking Light, October 2011