Candied grapes - a viral food trend that is insanely delicious. Candy grapes recipe usually make these sweet treats by coating grapes with a sugar syrup or other sweetening agent and allowing them to dry or harden.
What are candy grapes?
Similar to candied apples or other candied fruits, candied grapes are coated in some sort of sweetener. The sweetener used can be flavored or colored. After coating, the grapes dry or harden before being served as a sweet snack or dessert. Candied grapes can be enjoyed on their own or used as a garnish for desserts or cocktails.
You can also candy coat other fruits, such as hard candy strawberries!
How to make candy grapes - all the ways!
Crunchy candied grapes
- hard candy coated – cooking sugar and corn syrup to over 300F to create a hard candy. After cooking the syrup, dip the grapes in the hard candy while it is still hot and then place on parchment paper to cool.
- Jolly Rancher Candy – melt Jolly Rancher candies, then dip the grapes directly into the melted candy or drizzle the melted sugar over the grapes.
Powdered coated candied grapes
- Jello Powder – any flavor of regular Jello powder works well as a coating for the damp grapes to roll around in, especially those sour versions. Skittles jello and Starburst jello are especially delicious!
- Kool Aid & Sugar – similar to the Jello method, mix together granulated sugar and flavored Kool-Aid powder for the wet, clean grapes to roll around in.
- Fun Dip Candy – Coat the grapes in the powdered part of fun dip.
- Fruit Roll Ups- tear small pieces of a fruit roll up and wrap it around the grape before dipping in powdered or crushed candy.
Why Candy Coating Won’t Stick To The Candy Grapes
If hard candy coating or melted Jolly Ranchers aren't sticking to your candy grapes, there could be a few reasons why:
- Moisture: Grapes naturally have a smooth, waxy surface which can make it difficult for candy coating to adhere. If the grapes are too moist, the candy coating may not stick properly. Make sure to thoroughly wash and dry the grapes before attempting to coat them.
- Oiliness: Grapes can sometimes have a natural coating of oils on their skin, which can repel the candy coating. Washing the grapes with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice can help remove any oils and improve adhesion.
- Temperature: The temperature of the grapes and the candy coating can affect how well they stick together. If the grapes are too cold, the candy coating may harden too quickly, preventing it from adhering. Conversely, if the grapes are too warm, the candy coating may not set properly. Try to ensure that both the grapes are at room temperature before coating.
- Preparation: Properly preparing the grapes can also affect how well the candy coating sticks. Make sure to wash and dry the grapes thoroughly before attempting to coat them. Removing excess moisture and any debris will help the candy coating adhere better.
- Type of Coating: The type of candy coating you're using can also make a difference. Some candy coatings may require specific conditions or additional ingredients to properly adhere to grapes. Experimenting with different types of coatings or adding ingredients like corn syrup can sometimes improve adhesion.
By addressing these factors, you should be able to improve the adhesion of the candy coating to your grapes and create a delicious candy grape sweet treat!
Ingredients for jolly rancher hard candy grapes
- jolly ranchers candy
- grapes
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for candied grapes using jolly ranchers
Prepare grapes by washing and drying them.
Stick grapes with skewer before dipping.
Unwrap and melt Jolly Ranchers in a microwaveable safe bowl or in a thick bottomed pot.
Dip grapes in melted jolly ranchers, allow excess candy to drip off. You want a very thin coating. Place on parchment paper to harden.
Hint: I like to use a thick bottomed pot to melt the Jolly Ranchers because you can control the heat. If the candy starts to cool down, turn the heat up slightly to keep it fluid.
Variations for candy grapes
- Chocolate-Covered Grapes: Dip the grapes in melted chocolate, either milk, dark, or white, and let them set on parchment paper until the chocolate hardens. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the grapes for a decorative touch.
- Cinnamon Sugar Grapes: Toss the grapes in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. This creates a sweet and spicy flavor reminiscent of cinnamon sugar doughnuts.
- Yogurt-Covered Grapes: Dip the grapes in Greek yogurt or melted white chocolate, then let them set on parchment paper until the coating hardens. You can also add a dash of honey or maple syrup to the yogurt for extra sweetness.
- Citrus Glazed Grapes: Make a glaze using citrus juice (such as lemon, lime, or orange) and powdered sugar. Toss grapes in the glaze. Dry on parchment paper.
- Coconut-Covered Grapes: Dip grapes in melted coconut oil or coconut milk. Next, roll them in shredded coconut. Let them set on parchment paper until the coconut hardens.
- Spiced Grapes: Mix together a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger with powdered sugar. Toss grapes in the spiced sugar mixture. Dry on parchment paper.
- Sour Patch Grapes: Dip the grapes in lemon or lime juice, then roll them in powdered gelatin or citric acid for a tangy, sour coating.
Feel free to experiment with different flavors and coatings to create your own unique candy-coated grapes!
Equipment - Jolly Rancher Candied Grapes
- thick bottomed pot
- parchment paper
- food safe skewers
- baking sheet
Jolly Rancher Candied Grapes
Ingredients
- 20 grapes washed and dried
- 30 unwrapped jolly ranchers
Instructions
- Place the clean and dried green grapes flat on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Stick a skewer or a toothpick into the end of each grape.
- Place your desired color of jolly ranchers into a microwave safe bowl, and microwave on high for 20-30 seconds, or until candy is melted.
- Carefully remove the melted candy from the microwave. Dip the grapes one at a time into the candy until it is fully coated.
- Place grape on a clean piece of parchment paper to harden.
- Enjoy!
Why did my candy grapes melt?
If your candied grapes melted, it's likely due to environmental factors such as high temperatures or humidity. Candied grapes, like many sugar-coated confections, are susceptible to melting when exposed to heat.
Reasons why your candied grapes may have melted:
- High temperatures: Exposure to heat, either from direct sunlight or a warm environment, can cause the sugar coating on the grapes to melt. This is especially true if the temperature exceeds the melting point of the sugar used in the candying process.
- Humidity: High humidity levels can also cause the sugar coating to soften and melt. Moisture in the air can interact with the sugar, leading to a loss of texture and shape.
- Improper storage: Storing candied grapes in a location where they are exposed to heat or moisture can accelerate the melting process. Properly sealing them in an airtight container and storing them in a cool, dry place can help prevent melting.
- Thin coating: If the sugar coating on the grapes is too thin or not properly crystallized, it may melt more easily when exposed to heat or humidity.
To prevent your candied grapes from melting in the future, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. You can also consider using a thicker sugar coating or adding ingredients like corn syrup or confectioner's glaze to improve their stability in warmer conditions.
Candied Grapes Recipe – FAQ & Troubleshooting
If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, first line an airtight container with parchment paper then add the finished candy grapes to the container with a lid. These will not store well and I recommend consuming fairly soon after producing.
Candied grapes are grapes that have been coated or infused with sugar or syrup to create a sweet and sometimes crunchy outer layer. While grapes themselves are a nutritious fruit, the addition of sugar in candied grapes can be viewed as "not super nutritious." You'll have to decide for yourself!
Candied grapes are not entirely natural in the sense that they undergo a process of adding sugar or syrup to the grapes to create the candied coating. While the grapes themselves are natural fruits, the addition of sugar or syrup results in candied grapes, is a combination of natural grapes and added sugars, making them a processed food.
Candied grapes are sweet because they are coated or infused with sugar or syrup.
Related
Looking for other recipes like the candy grapes recipe? Try these:
Bob
good info on candy grapes. thanks
Hannah
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the candy grape information.
Jen
Used watermelon jolly ranchers over cotton candy grapes and they were sooooo good. Thanks!