Hot Cinnamon Candy Apple

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups corn syrup
1/3 cup hot cinnamon hearts candy
1 cup water
3/4 teaspoon Watkins cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Watkins vanilla
1/4 teaspoon Watkins cloves
3/4 teaspoon Watkins red food coloring
6 of your favorite type of eating apple, medium size
6 wooden skewers (often found in the produce dept.)

First prepare the apples for candy coating by washing them and removing the stems. Take a skewer and stab it right into the middle of the apple at its blossom end, and repeat for each apple. Be careful not to poke the skewer through the other side of the apple though. If wooden skewers are unavailable, a Popsicle stick with one end sharpened can be used in a pinch.

In a small or medium sized saucepan set on medium heat combine sugar, corn syrup, cinnamon candies, and water. Stir and keep stirring until everything is dissolved. Then stir some more just to make sure it's all dissolved. Once everything is dissolved, add cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, and food coloring to the mix.

Now boil mixture to 300°F on the candy thermometer, or until the syrup is slightly brittle when tested in cold water. Remove from heat and quickly dip your apples into your candy coating and be sure to coat them well. Slowly twirling the apple will help spread the syrup over the apple.

Place them with the skewer pointing up on waxed paper or a greased cookie sheet and allow them to harden. They will be quite hot for a while so make sure you let them cool completely to room temperature before eating!