Caramel Apples: A Sweet Indulgence for Every Occasion
If you love the combination of tart, crisp apples and sweet, sticky caramel, making homemade caramel apples is a must! Keep these delicious treats simple or add your favorite toppings to make them your own.
Oh man. Caramel apples. What. a. treat. Every time there’s a fair during the fall, these delights show up and make my day.
As much as I love getting caramel apples at the carnival or apple orchard, I cherish making them at home, too. When you have a child who is all about Halloween, it’s an extra-fun activity to enjoy as a family.
If you’ve never crafted homemade caramel apples before, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is. With just a few ingredients, you can embark on this delicious journey!
These treats are a fantastic addition to a Halloween party, alongside brownie dirt pudding cups, Halloween rice krispie treats, a Halloween dessert board, and Halloween popcorn balls.
How to Make Your Own Caramel Apples
These quintessential fall treats are straightforward to make, and it’s truly enjoyable to create them with family or friends!
What You’ll Need
The recipe below yields 6 caramel apples, but feel free to double or triple it for larger gatherings. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the best flavor, select apples that are crisp and slightly tart to complement the sweet caramel. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, and McIntosh apples work wonderfully.
If you prefer not to unwrap individual caramels, you can use an 11-ounce bag of Kraft caramel bits as an alternative.
I personally like to enhance the caramel sauce with a bit of apple pie spice and vanilla extract. These little additions take your apple up a notch, giving it that delightful essence of apple pie!
Additionally, you will need candy sticks. Search for 6-inch candy sticks in the baking aisle of your local grocery store or craft shop.
If you wish to add toppings, have those ready as well. Check out the “Topping Ideas” section for some of my favorites.
Making This Recipe
This recipe does call for a bit of prep work before you start creating your caramel apples.
First, prepare the pan where you will set the apples after coating. Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper.
Next, prep the apples by washing and drying them thoroughly. Insert a candy stick into the stem end of each apple.
Now, you’re ready to make the caramel!
Add the unwrapped caramels or caramel bits along with water to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until the candies melt completely. Then, mix in the apple pie spice and the vanilla.
Using the sticks to hold the apples, dip each one into the caramel mixture, turning to coat well. Tilting the pan slightly can help ensure a thorough coating for each apple.
After dipping, lift the apples and turn them sideways over the pan, spinning several times to allow any excess caramel to drip off. This technique also helps the caramel begin to set.
If you have toppings to add, do so while the caramel is still soft. Place the decorated apples onto the prepared tray.
Once all apples are coated and adorned to your satisfaction, refrigerate them for at least 10 minutes to firm up the caramel.
If you wish, you can wrap the apples individually in cellophane. They’re best stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Topping Ideas
Toppings are where you can truly get creative with these caramel apples!
Many toppings can be used, so ensure you have them organized beforehand since you’ll want to add them before the caramel sets.
Some of my favorite toppings include:
- Chopped, toasted nuts – pecans or peanuts are a classic choice!
- Toffee bits – try milk chocolate toffee bits or bits o’ brickle.
- Seasonal sprinkles or festive candies, such as candy corn, candy eyes, or mini M&Ms in seasonal colors.
- Crushed cookies, like Oreos or vanilla wafers.
- Crushed pretzels for a sweet and salty bite.
- Finely chopped candy bars, such as Butterfingers or Snickers.
- Mini chocolate chips or Reese’s Pieces.
- Mini marshmallows paired with mini chocolate chips and graham cracker crumbs.
You can also melt chocolate, white chocolate, or candy melts to drizzle over the apples. This method is perfect for creating chocolate spider webs!
Tips for Making Homemade Caramel Apples
If this is your first time making homemade caramel apples, here are some tips to simplify the process:
- After washing, ensure the apples are completely dry. This will enhance adherence of the caramel.
- Use cold apples, as they help the caramel set faster, minimizing drips and mess.
- Have your toppings prepared in advance. You need to add them while the caramel is still soft.
- Tip the pan or bowl containing the caramel to fully coat the apples and rotate them sideways to eliminate excess drips.
Even if you’ve never made this seasonal favorite before, I bet it will quickly turn into a cherished tradition!
