Crack grapes (Jolly Rancher Candied Fruit) are a tasty snack you can enjoy with your child for almost any occasion. But I particularly love these brightly colored grapes on St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. This colorful candy-coated grape is a hit at any class party. !
Recipe for CRACK GRAPES, also known as JOLLY RANCHER (Candiated grapes)
“Crack candy grapes” is what my daughter has been asking me to make. They are rolled up in Jolly Rancher hard candy flavors of green apple and purple grape. !
What about cotton candy grapes, available right now? It tastes like cotton candy (and other grape hybrids have a taste of pineapple, strawberry and mango as well! ).
I have yet to try it, but using the sweet cotton candy grapes with crack grapes or candied Grapes could be a nice combination.
Whenever I prepare candied or smashed grapes, I use mostly green grapes. When I make my candied or cracked grapes, I tend to use green grapes.
Rock candy is also a great option for making crack grapes. You might prefer rock candy to the Jolly Rancher candies with flavors. I’m still on the fence.
You can make candied grapes by following these simple instructions.
Make these delectable candied grapes as soon as you are ready with all the ingredients. Following these steps, you will be prepared to enjoy a sweet snack in no time!
Step 1: Cover a baking pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Wash and dry the grapes after removing them from the stems.
Step 2: Insert a small toothpick through the top of each grape. Make sure that you leave about 1-2 inches on either end. Keep this toothpick in your hand when you dip grapes into candy syrup.
Step 3: Freeze the grapes for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Step 4: Crush up the Jolly Ranchers into small pieces. Put them aside. Use a mortar, disc, or ziplock bag to crush the Jolly Ranchers.
Step 5: Mix the corn syrup light, water, and sugar in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. I stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Jolly Rancher Candies can be crushed in the food processor.
Step 6 : A heavy-bottomed saucepan made of stainless steel is used to mix sugar, water, and corn syrup.
Step 7: The temperature of the mixture will be monitored using a candy thermometer. When the mixture has reached 260 degrees F, you can add flavorings and food colors. Sugar syrup shouldn’t be stirred – boiling will combine the food coloring with the candy.
Step 8: Heat the mixture until 300 degrees Fahrenheit is reached (hard cracking stage). Remove the mixture from the heat.
Step 9 : Dip the grapes in the sugar syrup. Roll them around to cover with the crushed Jolly Rangers. Let the hardening candy set on the tray with the parchment paper.
Sugar syrup in blue is boiled up in a pan made from stainless steel.
Grapes coated in blue, purple and pink candy with jolly ranchers crushed on a sheet of cookies.
Step 10 : Dip half of the Grapes in blue candy, mix some drops of food coloring and dip the other grapes.
WHY THIS RECIPE FOR CANDY GRAPES IS SO INTERESTING
- Making it easy! There is no need to add food coloring or boil the mixture. Creating an amazing snack for kids and adults only takes 10 minutes.
- The Perfect Family Activity! Assemble the grapes with the help of your kids (use method 2, which uses fruit wraps instead of melting candy).
- The perfect treat for special events! These treats would be ideal to give as Easter gifts or as a party favor.
- Fat-Free Snack! It is low-calorie, and you can have it.
- A bowl of candied grapes surrounded by grapes.
WHAT ARE CANDY GRAPES?
Candy, galaxy or crack grapes consist of fresh grapes rolled into a sugar and flavored mixture. Jello or Kool-Aid can be used, as well as Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers, and Jolly Ranchers.
Cotton Candy Grapes are the variety you will most often at your local grocery store. It’s a genetically engineered fruit that tastes just like cotton candy.
How to Store Candied Grapes
If you have some leftovers from the candy grapes, place them in an airtight container and line them with paper towels. Add another piece of paper towel to the container before closing the lid. Place the candy grapes in the fridge. The paper towel will absorb the moisture left over from making grapes and the condensation in the refrigerator. Water will damage the candy coating. The container should be kept dry to prevent moisture.
Can I Use Sugar-Free Jello To Candy Grapes?
This recipe cannot be made with Jello without sugar. A bad experience would ensue! The ratio between sugar and flavoring is about equal in a box of regular Jello. However, in a sugar-free Jello product, there’s a higher proportion of flavoring to substitute for sugar. The result will be too overwhelming in flavor.
Is the taste of Jello important for candied Grapes or not?
This is a completely personal decision! Please pick up a couple of Jello boxes that interest you to see what they taste like. As grapes are naturally sweet, the Jello flavors with a slight sourness work particularly well for the candy coating. It is a perfect combination of sweetness from the grapes and the sugar in the powder. I use Jello sour powder to give my children a taste similar to Sour Patch Kids.
Can Candy Grapes Be Frozen?
Yes! For the summer, frozen candied raisins are an excellent treat for your children. This can be done by freezing the grapes to a solid state. When frozen, pull them from the freezer and wait a few moments until condensation is formed on the exterior. Follow the directions in the recipe to coat them completely. In an airtight freezer container lined with a paper towel, store them. It will absorb excess moisture to prevent the ice from forming a clump.
Make candy grapes with these tips:
- Take care when using hot sugar.
- The grapes must be completely dried and washed before they are swirled.
- Everything must be prepared before the sugar is cooked
- The sugar is cooling quickly, so you have to act soon.
- Refrigerate them to help cool down faster
- The skewers will cool down, and you can remove them.