Easy Candy Apple Jelly Recipe – A Fun Canning Project for Beginners

Welcome to Pike Creek Farm! Today, I’m excited to share a nostalgic, beginner-friendly canning recipe as part of the Jam It Up June collaboration—a month-long celebration of homemade jams and jellies organized by Tony at Kettle Kitchen and Pam from Blue Self-Reliance. This is my third year participating, and I’m thrilled to be back with a recipe that’s not only fun but also perfect for beginners and kids: Candy Apple Jelly made with Red Hots and apple juice!

Whether you're new to canning or just love trying new jelly flavors, this one is a showstopper—bright red, sweet, a little spicy, and packed with nostalgic flavor reminiscent of old-fashioned fairground candy apples.

Why You’ll Love This Candy Apple Jelly
This jelly is:

Beginner-friendly – No peeling, no chopping. Just measure, boil, and pour!

Versatile – Delicious on toast, biscuits, or served over cream cheese with crackers.

Festive – With its bright red color and cinnamon kick, it’s perfect for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any time you want something fun and different.

Ingredients You’ll Need
4 cups unsweetened apple juice – I used home-canned juice from our apple trees, but store-bought works just fine.

½ cup Red Hots cinnamon candies – Leftover from holiday baking? Perfect!

1 box of regular pectin

4½ cups granulated sugar

❗ Note: Be sure to use unsweetened apple juice, or your jelly may turn out too sweet.

Equipment
Large pot

Canning jars (8 oz or smaller work best)

Water bath canner or steam canner

Jar lifter

Funnel

Ladle

Clean cloth or paper towel

How to Make Candy Apple Jelly
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
In a large pot, add the apple juice and Red Hots. Heat over medium until the candies melt, then stir in the box of pectin.

Step 2: Bring to a Boil
Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil (one that can’t be stirred down). Then add the sugar all at once, stirring to dissolve.

Step 3: Boil Again
Return the mixture to a full rolling boil and boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly.

Step 4: Skim and Fill Jars
Remove from heat and skim off any foam. Ladle hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe rims, apply lids and rings (finger-tight), and place in your canner.

Processing
In a Steam Canner:
Place jars in preheated canner.

Process for 10 minutes once the proper steam level is reached.

In a Water Bath Canner:
Make sure jars are covered by at least 1 inch of water.

Bring to a rolling boil and process for 10 minutes.

After processing, turn off the heat and let jars sit for 5 minutes before removing. Listen for that beautiful “pop” as your jars seal!

The Result? A Gorgeous Red Jelly with a Flavor Punch
Once cooled, remove the rings, label, and store your jars in a cool, dark place. This candy apple jelly is:

A fun pantry addition

A thoughtful homemade gift

A great way to use up leftover Red Hots

It tastes like cinnamon-sugar apples and pairs perfectly with toast, muffins, or cream cheese on graham crackers. Plus, it’s a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen!

Join the Jam It Up June Celebration!
Be sure to check out the Jam It Up June playlist for a different jam or jelly recipe every day throughout the month. Don’t forget to tune in for the live giveaway on Friday, July 5th at 11:00 PM EST, hosted by Kettle Kitchen and Blue Self-Reliance. There will be lots of fun, prizes, and community spirit!

Final Thoughts
Whether you’re just starting your canning journey or looking to try something fun and new, this candy apple jelly is a must-try. It’s easy, quick, and incredibly delicious. Thank you for visiting Pike Creek Farm—if you enjoyed this recipe, please subscribe for more canning inspiration, vintage recipes, and homestead life. See you next time!