Description

Candy Grapes are a delightful treat featuring fresh grapes coated in a colorful, glossy hard candy shell. This fun and easy recipe involves dipping skewered grapes into a homemade sugar syrup cooked to the hard crack stage, then flavored and tinted with vibrant gel food colors. Perfect for parties or a sweet snack, these candy-coated grapes offer a satisfying crunch paired with juicy fruit inside.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

20–25 grapes, washed and completely dried

Candy Coating

2 cups white sugar
½ cup water
¼ cup light corn syrup
White gel food coloring
Other gel colors of your choice (e.g., neon pink, sky blue)
2 teaspoons flavored oil of your choice (e.g., peppermint, vanilla)
Sprinkles for decorating (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Grapes: Wash your grapes thoroughly by soaking them in water with a splash of white vinegar for about 5 minutes to clean them well. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely to ensure the candy coating adheres properly.
Skewer the Grapes: Insert a skewer into each grape carefully and set aside, making them easy to dip and coat evenly with the candy mixture.
Combine Sugar Mixture: In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of white sugar, ½ cup water, and ¼ cup light corn syrup. Stir to mix all ingredients evenly before heating.
Cook the Candy Syrup: Place the saucepan over medium to medium-high heat and insert a candy thermometer, ensuring the tip does not touch the bottom of the pan. Do not stir the mixture while heating. Cook until the temperature reaches 300°F (hard crack stage), perfect for a hard candy coating.
Add Color and Flavor: Once the mixture hits 300°F, remove it from heat immediately. Stir in a few drops of white gel food coloring and add 2 teaspoons of your chosen flavored oil to scent and enhance the candy syrup’s taste. Add 3-4 drops of your preferred gel colors and swirl gently with a spoon or the skewer to create marble or layered color effects.
Dip the Grapes: Dip each skewered grape into the hot candy mixture, spinning it to coat the grape evenly with the glossy candy shell. Allow excess syrup to drip back into the pan.
Decorate and Dry: Quickly roll the coated grapes in sprinkles if using, then place them on parchment paper or a silicone mat. Let them dry at room temperature for about 15 minutes or chill in the fridge for 10 minutes to harden the candy coating fully.

Notes

Ensure grapes are completely dry before dipping to prevent the candy from prematurely crystallizing.
Use a candy thermometer to achieve the precise hard crack stage at 300°F for optimal candy coating texture.
Work quickly when dipping and decorating, as the syrup hardens fast once off the heat.
Choose flavored oils that are food-safe and suitable for candy making.
Store candy grapes in a cool, dry place and consume within a day for best texture and freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: candy grapes, hard candy coating, fruit candy, homemade candy, grape recipe, party treats, colorful candy