In the early part of the 20th century, candied apples were doled out to trick-or-treaters—perhaps as a reminder of the old-time game of bobbing for apples.

When we prepared these Candied Apples in our Test Kitchens, we were won over by their simple charm. In particular, we liked the way the cinnamon candy coating complemented the sweetness and cool crunch of the fruit in a classic flavor match. Our recipe uses cinnamon candies (Red Hots are a good choice) instead of the cinnamon and red food coloring used in other versions. The candies add a pleasant kick, too. We call for Red Delicious apples, which are known for their mild sweetness, but you can experiment with tart, juicy Granny Smith, pippin, or McIntosh varieties.

Whatever apple you use, as Halloween goodies go, these sweet tokens are low in fat and high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin. And best of all, their sweet-hot flavor makes working your way down to the last bite a treat indeed.

Find more candied apple recipes