Poison apple candy treats

• 6 large Granny Smith or Gala apples
• 470 ml granulated sugar
• 180 ml water
• 120 ml light corn syrup
• 2 ml neon green food coloring gel
• 2 ml vanilla extract
• 6 sturdy wooden sticks or twigs

1. Wash and dry the apples thoroughly to remove any wax coating, which helps the candy adhere. Remove the stems and insert a wooden stick into the top of each apple.
2. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
3. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and let the mixture boil without stirring until it reaches the hard crack stage, which is 300°F to 310°F (150°C to 155°C).
4. Once the temperature is reached, remove the pan from the heat immediately. Stir in the green food coloring and vanilla extract until the color is uniform.
5. Working quickly, tilt the pan and dip each apple into the syrup, swirling to coat the top half and letting it drip down the sides to create the 'skull' or 'slime' effect.
6. Place the coated apples on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes until the candy has fully hardened.

Serve these at a Halloween party or themed event. For an extra spooky look, use a toothpick to carve skull facial features into the green candy while it is still slightly soft but not runny.