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Brazilian recipe

Classic Homemade Maçã do Amor with Shiny Red Toffee

Learn how to make authentic Brazilian candied apples with a crisp, sugar-cracked coating. It is the perfect sweet treat for parties and special occasions.

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35 min preparation 25 min cooking 12 portions 1905 product views
Classic Homemade Maçã do Amor with Shiny Red Toffee

Ingredients

500 ml water
1 kg granulated white sugar
12 small to medium apples, thoroughly washed and dried
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Vegetable oil for greasing trays
Red food coloring (powder or liquid)

Where to find ingredients

In Eswatini, you can easily find most ingredients at local supermarkets like Pick n Pay or Spar. Look for 'granulated white sugar' in the baking aisle. For 'white vinegar,' standard distilled vinegar is fine. Fresh apples are widely available in the fruit and vegetable sections. For the food coloring, check the baking supplies aisle for liquid or powder red dye; if you cannot find it, specialized baking stores in larger urban centers like Manzini or Mbabane usually stock a wider range of food-grade professional colors. Ensure the apples are firm and free of any wax coatings to help the syrup adhere properly.

Preparation method

  1. Scrub the apples well and dry them completely with a clean kitchen towel
  2. Insert one or two wooden ice cream sticks into each apple to make them easy to handle and stable while dipping
  3. Lightly grease your metal trays or baking sheets with a bit of vegetable oil to prevent the toffee from sticking
  4. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vinegar, and red coloring
  5. Stir very gently just to combine, then avoid using a spoon to prevent the sugar from crystallizing
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat
  7. Once it reaches a boil, reduce to medium heat and let it bubble for about 25 minutes without stirring until the syrup reaches the hard-crack stage
  8. To test, dip a wooden stick into the syrup and drop it onto the greased tray
  9. If it sets into a firm, snappy layer that cracks when tapped, the toffee is ready
  10. Carefully hold the apples by their sticks and submerge them into the syrup, rotating to coat them completely
  11. Place the coated apples onto the greased tray and allow the sugar shell to set and harden fully before serving

Observations

Maçã do amor is a beloved Brazilian carnival classic, featuring fresh, crunchy apples encased in a vibrant, glassy layer of caramelized sugar. This simple method yields that signature snap and sweetness everyone craves. By simmering sugar with a splash of vinegar and red food coloring, you create a beautiful, jewel-like finish. They are a must-have for festive gatherings or whenever you need a quick, nostalgic dessert.
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Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

Scrub the apples well and dry them completely with a clean kitchen towel

Scrub the apples well and dry them completely with a clean kitchen towel
Step 2

Insert one or two wooden ice cream sticks into each apple to make them easy to handle and stable while dipping

Insert one or two wooden ice cream sticks into each apple to make them easy to handle and stable while dipping
Step 3

Lightly grease your metal trays or baking sheets with a bit of vegetable oil to prevent the toffee from sticking

Lightly grease your metal trays or baking sheets with a bit of vegetable oil to prevent the toffee from sticking
Step 4

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vinegar, and red coloring

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vinegar, and red coloring
Step 5

Stir very gently just to combine, then avoid using a spoon to prevent the sugar from crystallizing

Stir very gently just to combine, then avoid using a spoon to prevent the sugar from crystallizing
Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat
Step 7

Once it reaches a boil, reduce to medium heat and let it bubble for about 25 minutes without stirring until the syrup reaches the hard-crack stage

Once it reaches a boil, reduce to medium heat and let it bubble for about 25 minutes without stirring until the syrup reaches the hard-crack stage
Step 8

To test, dip a wooden stick into the syrup and drop it onto the greased tray

To test, dip a wooden stick into the syrup and drop it onto the greased tray
Step 9

If it sets into a firm, snappy layer that cracks when tapped, the toffee is ready

If it sets into a firm, snappy layer that cracks when tapped, the toffee is ready
Step 10

Carefully hold the apples by their sticks and submerge them into the syrup, rotating to coat them completely

Carefully hold the apples by their sticks and submerge them into the syrup, rotating to coat them completely
Step 11

Place the coated apples onto the greased tray and allow the sugar shell to set and harden fully before serving

Place the coated apples onto the greased tray and allow the sugar shell to set and harden fully before serving
Final result

Classic Homemade Maçã do Amor with Shiny Red Toffee

Classic Homemade Maçã do Amor with Shiny Red Toffee

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