Apples are in season right now, which means that these caramel apples will taste extra delicious! Each apple is covered in a scrumptious caramel coating that can transform a simple apple into a decadent dessert! Here’s the recipe:
Caramel Apple Recipe
Adapted from Taste of Home
Ingredients:
½ cup (1 stick) salted butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
Pinch of sea salt
14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 ice pop sticks
10 medium-sized apples, washed and dried
1 cup salted peanuts, chopped (optional)
Directions:
Cut the butter into small cubes. Add the butter cubes, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan. Set the heat to medium and let the mixture cook until it comes to a boil, stirring constantly. It should take about 10 minutes for the mixture to boil.
Stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture in the saucepan and stir vigorously until the thermometer reads 248 degrees Fahrenheit, which is called the “firm-ball stage” by candy makers. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Insert one ice pop stick into each apple. Dip the apples one at a time into the caramel mixture. Swirl the apple around in a circle to evenly coat the apple with caramel.
Place the chopped peanuts onto a sheet of waxed paper and dip the bottom of the caramel apple into the peanuts. Spray another sheet of waxed paper with cooking spray. Place finished caramel apples on the sprayed sheet until it sets, which should take at least 30 minutes.
Variations:
Easy Caramel Apples. Use one 14-ounce package of chewy caramel candies. Unwrap the candies carefully and place in a microwave safe dish. Add 2 tablespoons regular milk and microwave on high for two minutes. Stir the caramel and milk together after it’s melted. Follow the method for dunking the apples into the caramel that’s listed above.
Chocolate Covered Apples. Melt 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave or in a double boiler. Dunk the apples into the chocolate as directed by the recipe listed above.
Chocolate Caramel Apples. Follow the caramel apple recipe listed above, omitting the chopped peanuts. After the apples are fully set, transfer them to the refrigerator and let them chill for about 2 hours. Melt 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave or double boiler. Dunk the caramel apples into the chocolate mixture. Set the apple on a sheet of waxed paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray and let set until firm.
Caramel Apples with Candy. Follow the recipe listed above. Omit the peanut coating and use chopped candy pieces or candy sprinkles instead. This is a great way to use all that leftover Halloween candy!