Perfect Caramel Apples Recipe
Have you ever made Homemade Caramel Apples?
I’m not talking about Caramel Apples made with those cute little candy squares that you buy in packages.
I’m talking about REAL honest-to-God Caramel Apples that you make from scratch from REAL HOMEMADE Caramel. This is the Perfect Caramel Apples Recipe.
You absolutely need a candy thermometer for this recipe. A lot of recipes will give you visual cues, but using a thermometer will guarantee that you’ll get it right the first time (yep, I learned the hard way).
If you’re wondering what kind of apples to buy, get what you like to eat out of hand. Honey Crisps are delicious but HUGE! Granny Smiths are tart, but balance out the sweetness of the caramel. Red Delicious are pretty bland, but tend to be uniform in shape.
Decorate the apples or leave them plain… they’ll be delicious no matter what you do!
This recipe was featured on:
Caramel Apples
prep: 15 minutes
cook: 1 hour
makes 6 caramel apples
you’ll need…
6 medium apples (about 2 pounds)
6 wooden craftsticks, chopsticks, or popsticks
1 cup sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
chopped nuts, candy sprinkles, cranberries, coconut for decorating
let’s get to it…
Line a baking sheet (or plate) that will fit into your refrigerator with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside. If you’re decorating your apples after dipping them in caramel, place the decorations on separate plates; set aside.
Place apples in a colander and poor boiling hot water over them. Let cool for a minute and dry completely. Insert a stick in stem end of each apple and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place in refrigerator.
Cook sugar, corn syrup, condensed milk and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over low heat stirring constantly with a silicone spatula or long wooden spoon until temperature reaches 240° (remember, sugar will continue cooking). Immediately remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool for 1 to 2 minutes.
Dip apples into caramel, using a spoon or ladle to coat completely. Let excess drip back into the pan. Return to parchment paper. As soon as you’ve finished dipping each of the apples (about 10 to 15 minutes), roll the apples in the decorations or use your palm to press the decorations onto the apples. Let cool for 1 hour before serving.
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I like the idea of making your own caramel at home! The thing I never liked about store-bought caramel apples is how sweet the caramel would be : ( It ruins the whole apple!
Thanks for sharing with us at Hump Day Happenings!
I agree 100% Megan! You want to taste the apple and not get smacked around by the (artificial) sugar in the store-bought caramel!
This yummy post was one of the most viewed from last week’s party!!! Yipee! You will be featured next week — early bird opening is Tues 7pm EDT. See you there! ♥
Hooray for these yummy apples! Thanks Sinea!
These are one of my fall favorites.
Me too. Too much so. I made extra sauce and did put it on my popcorn… and heated it up and drizzled it on sliced bananas. I’m bad, I know!
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Caramel apples are one of my fall favorites!
Mine, too. Too much. I had to give them to my friends because I made 8 and I couldn’t resist!
I am definitely craving these now! And homemade caramel is worth the extra effort because the taste is so superior to the store bought kind.
Amen, Audrey. After the first time you make it, you kinda get the hang of it and it’s not so intimidating. And delicious… did I say delicious? Oh yes….
Every time every day is perfect for something new in the kitchen…and better for my son..thanks for a Candy thermometer… my love cookie!!!