Brazilian recipe
Classic Homemade Maçã do Amor with Shiny Sugar Coating
Learn how to make vibrant Maçã do Amor, the iconic candied apple with a crisp, glass-like sugar shell. Perfect for parties and a nostalgic treat.
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Ingredients
500 ml water
1 kg granulated sugar
12 small or medium apples, washed and patted completely dry
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Vegetable oil, for greasing the tray
Red food coloring (powder or liquid)
1 kg granulated sugar
12 small or medium apples, washed and patted completely dry
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Vegetable oil, for greasing the tray
Red food coloring (powder or liquid)
Where to find ingredients
In Sierra Leone, you can find most of these ingredients in local markets or larger supermarkets in Freetown. For apples, look for firm imports available at fruit stalls or wholesale importers. Use standard white granulated sugar widely sold in shops. Ensure your vinegar is a simple white distilled variety. Food coloring is easily found in the baking section of larger stores or local shops selling catering supplies. Wooden lolly sticks can be sourced from craft stores or by asking local vendors who sell snacks.
Preparation method
- Wash your apples thoroughly and wipe them until they are perfectly dry to ensure the syrup sticks properly
- Insert a sturdy lolly stick or skewer into the stem end of each apple, pushing in firmly
- Lightly grease a metal tray with a little vegetable oil so the dipped apples don't stick
- Combine the sugar, water, vinegar, and a few drops of red food coloring in a deep saucepan
- Give it a gentle stir before turning on the heat, then avoid using a spoon again to prevent the sugar from crystallizing
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat
- Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium and let it bubble away undisturbed for about 25 minutes until you achieve a deep, candy-like consistency
- Test the syrup by dipping a stick into the pan and letting a drop fall onto the greased tray
- If the drop hardens instantly into a solid, brittle snap, it is ready
- Hold an apple by the stick and dip it into the syrup, rotating to coat it evenly while being careful of the hot sugar
- Place the coated apple onto the greased tray and allow the shell to set and harden completely before serving
Observations
Maçã do Amor is a quintessential Brazilian street food treat, featuring crisp, fresh apples dipped in a glowing red sugar syrup. This classic recipe captures that perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. By slowly boiling a mix of sugar, water, vinegar, and red food coloring, you create a beautiful, hard-candy coating that makes these apples stand out at any celebration. It is a straightforward yet impressive sweet that brings a touch of joy to any special occasion.
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