Description
Homemade caramel apples from scratch delight dessert enthusiasts with their rich autumn flavors. Crisp orchard apples draped in silky caramel create an irresistible treat perfect for seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5–6 apples
- 11 ounces (311 grams) baking caramels
Liquid Ingredient:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) water
Accessories:
- Popsicle sticks
- Toppings of choice (such as nuts, sprinkles, or crushed candy)
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse apples, pat dry with a clean towel, and chill in the refrigerator to maintain firmness. Remove stems and carefully insert wooden sticks into the apple cores.
- Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with non-stick spray to prevent sticking during the caramel coating process.
- Unwrap caramels and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour water into the bowl and heat for 2 minutes at 50% power, stirring midway. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until caramel reaches a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Hold each apple by the inserted stick and carefully dip into the warm caramel, allowing excess to drip off. Gently rotate the apple to ensure even coverage, then immediately roll in desired toppings while caramel remains tacky.
- Transfer caramel-coated apples to the prepared parchment-lined sheet. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes at 40°F to set the caramel and help toppings adhere firmly before serving.
Notes
- Select firm, fresh apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and tartness that complements the sweet caramel.
- Thoroughly dry apples before dipping to ensure caramel adheres smoothly and prevents liquid interference.
- Use room temperature caramels for more even melting and prevent scorching during microwave heating.
- Rotate apples slowly while dipping to create a uniform caramel coating and minimize dripping.
- Prepare toppings in advance like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or sprinkles for quick application before caramel sets.
- Work quickly when coating to prevent caramel from hardening before adding additional decorations.
- For dietary alternatives, try using dairy-free caramel or sugar-free options to accommodate different nutritional needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg