CANDY MAKING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT RECIPES

Steps:

• Line a sheet tray with a silicone baking mat and lay down 1 ice pop stick in the center. Set aside.
• Set a 4-ounce ladle over low heat about 2 inches above the flame and add the sugar. Stir with the chopsticks, swirling constantly until the sugar dissolves and turns pale light yellow (it should be fragrant like caramel and resemble diluted honey), about 2 minutes.  
• Stir in the baking soda and whisk vigorously for 5 seconds, still working 2 inches above the flame, and remove from the heat. Continue whisking until the baking soda is completely dissolved and the sugar doubles in volume, becomes frothy and turns light caramel color, about 10 seconds.  
• Pour the sugar immediately onto the tip of the ice pop stick on the silicone mat, scraping down with a rubber spatula. Keep a nice round shape as you pour as this will ensure the candy is pressed in an even circle. Quickly and lightly press down with hotteok press until the candy is about 3 1/2 inches in diameter, 3 to 5 seconds. As the candy begins to harden, gently lift the hotteok press and immediately stamp with a cookie cutter, making sure not to press all the way through, 5 to 10 seconds. Remove the cookie cutter and let the ppopgi cool until hardened, 2 to 3 minutes. If making more ppopgi, rinse the tools in hot water and dry completely before making the next batch.

Steps:

• Grease a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line with parchment and grease parchment with cooking spray.  Insert a wooden stick into the top of each apple, pushing about halfway through. Set aside.  In a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, combine sugar, 3/4 cup water, corn syrup, and food coloring and bring to a boil. Insert candy thermometer and continue to boil until temperature reaches between 300° and 310°, about 15 to 20 minutes. Immediately remove from heat.  Working quickly and carefully—coating will be extremely hot—coat apples in candy mixture and transfer to prepared baking sheet.  Let cool completely before serving.