Candied apples. When it comes holiday-defining treats, these colorful creations rank right up there with candy corn as the sweetest offerings of Halloween. And for many of us, they're just as popular.

Beautiful as store-bought options may be, they just can't compare in flavor to homemade.

If you've never made candied apples yourself, they can be a fun project. By making them yourself, you control the color, toppings, and flavorings. Not to mention you can also choose the type of apples you candy, whether you prefer more tart Granny Smith, McIntosh or Braeburn; or sweet-tart Jonagold; or sweet Fuji, Gala or Honeycrisp.

Best of all? You don't even need a fancy kit. All it takes is a handful of ingredients, along with a heavy-bottom pot and a trusty thermometer to cook everything to just the right temperature. Continue reading for handy tips and recipes….