To make candy grapes, there are a few popular methods depending on the type of candy coating you want:
Method 1: Hard Candy Coating (Sugar Syrup)
Ingredients:
- 20-25 seedless grapes (green preferred to avoid color bleeding)
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- White gel food coloring (optional for opacity)
- Gel food coloring of your choice (optional for color)
- 2 teaspoons flavored oil (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Steps:
- Wash grapes thoroughly and dry completely.
- Skewer each grape carefully.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup. Stir to combine.
- Attach a candy thermometer, making sure it doesn't touch the pan bottom, and boil the mixture without stirring until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage).
- Remove from heat and stir in flavoring and white food coloring for a blank canvas.
- Add gel colors and swirl gently.
- Dip each skewered grape into the hot sugar syrup, spinning to coat evenly.
- Let excess drip off, optionally roll in sprinkles.
- Place on parchment paper or silicone mat to dry for about 15 minutes or refrigerate for 10 minutes to harden
Method 2: Gelatin or Jello Powder Coating
Ingredients:
- 3 cups seedless grapes (any color)
- 3 oz box flavored Jello gelatin (fruit flavors like pineapple, watermelon, cherry)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Steps:
- Remove grapes from stems, wash, and soak in water.
- Mix Jello powder and sugar in a shallow bowl.
- Working in small batches, pick grapes from water, shake off excess moisture, and roll in gelatin mixture until coated.
- Use a dry hand to pick coated grapes and place on a baking sheet.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving
Method 3: Simple Sugar-Coated Frozen Grapes
Ingredients:
- 3 cups seedless grapes
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Steps:
- Wash grapes and pat dry.
- Toss grapes with lemon juice to coat.
- Roll grapes in sugar until coated.
- Place on parchment-lined plate and freeze for at least 1 hour.
- Store in fridge or freezer and enjoy as a sweet, icy treat
Each method offers a different texture and flavor experience: hard candy coating gives a crunchy shell, gelatin provides a sparkly, flavored dusting, and sugar-coated frozen grapes offer a sweet and refreshing snack. Choose based on your preference and available ingredients.
