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Apple Pie Caramel Apples – just like those from Disneyland!! Tart Granny Smith apples are dipped in chewy caramel, coated in white chocolate, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and then finished off with pie crust crumbs!
We love Disneyland and all of their food! For more favorites, check out: Churros, Churro Funnel Cake and Dole Whip Recipe.
Disneyland Copycat Recipe
Hi there, Lil’ Luna readers! Samantha from Five Heart Home here, and I’m excited to be back today to help Kristyn celebrate a week filled with all things Disney! How fun is that?!
There are lots of yummy treats famously associated with Disney World and Disneyland, and specialty caramel apples happen to be one of them. Apple Pie Caramel Apples are particularly beloved, so I thought it would be fun to share this drool-worthy copycat recipe with you today.
Apple Pie Caramel Apples start out as tart Granny Smith apples dipped in caramel. Once the caramel has set up, the apples are dipped in white chocolate, which is then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
Finally, the base of each apple is dipped into pie crust crumbs. I leave it up to you whether you prefer using a regular baked pie crust or graham cracker crumbs. If you’ve got a plain pie crust on hand, go for it…but graham cracker crumbs are equally tasty and probably more readily available to most people. So feel free to use whichever is most convenient!
How to Make Apple Pie Caramel Apples
Be sure to scrub your apples and dry them well, because the caramel won’t readily stick to the waxy coating found on most apples. As for the caramel, you can certainly make homemade caramel if you already have a favorite recipe. Otherwise, just melt a bunch of soft caramel squares or use a bag of caramel bits for the most effortless route…no unwrapping involved!
After your apples are dipped, you’ll want to allow them to set up in the refrigerator for an hour or two. Next comes a coating of melted white chocolate, which should be immediately sprinkled with cinnamon sugar while the chocolate is still wet. And finally, dip the base of each apple into the pie crust or graham cracker crumbs.
The result is a caramel apple that truly tastes like apple pie! I’m not kidding here, folks. I wouldn’t have thought that this combo of caramel/white chocolate/cinnamon sugar/pie crust crumbs could result in such an uncanny apple pie flavor, but it definitely does. Yummy doesn’t even begin to describe it!
In case you’re really gung-ho about going the Disney route, feel free to dip a couple of jumbo marshmallows in white chocolate and use toothpicks to affix them to the top of the apple as mouse ears.
Recipe FAQ + Tips
What do I do with the “candy foot”? After dipping the apple in the caramel you may notice some of the caramel coat drip down and pool at the bottom of the apple. This is called a candy foot. To get rid of the “candy foot” simply trim away larger pieces, then, using your fingers, gently smooth out the remainder of the coating.
Storage: Candy apples can be made ahead of time and they store quite well. You can either keep them at room temperature or in the fridge. Unfortunately, they cannot be frozen for later.
- Countertop: Apples that have not been pierced with a stick can last at room temperature for about 7 days.
- Refrigerator: Apples that have been pierced should be kept in the fridge and will last for up to 2 weeks. Use a container that will allow for airflow.
- Cut apples can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Treat the apple slices with lemon juice or use a fresh fruit produce protector found at the grocery store to help keep them from browning.
If you’re already a fan of Disney’s Apple Pie Caramel Apples, I think you’ll enjoy economically making your own at home, any ol’ time you please. And if you’ve never had one, well, add this recipe to your to-try list! It’s like apple pie on a stick, AKA, seriously amazing… 🙂
For more Disney copycat recipes, try:
Apple Pie Caramel Apple Recipe
Ingredients
- 4-5 large Granny Smith apples
- 4-5 popsicle sticks or cookie/cake pop sticks
- 1 (11) oz bag Brach's Milk Maid caramels, unwrapped or an equivalent amount of soft caramel squares unwrapped
- 2 tbsp water
- 6 regular graham crackers
- 12 oz white chocolate melting wafers such as Ghiradelli or vanilla candy coating
- 8 large marshmallows
- cinnamon sugar made by mixing 2 tbsp sugar plus 1/2 tsp cinnamon, in a shaker
Instructions
- Wash the apples under hot water, scrubbing to remove as much of the waxy coating as possible. Dry thoroughly and insert a stick into the top center of each apple, pushing it at least halfway through. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Melt the caramel bits and water in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until completely smooth and melted, for about 3 minutes. Dip each apple into the melted caramel. Allow the excess caramel to drip back into the pot and use a spoon or butter knife to scrape the dripping caramel from the bottom of the apple. Place dipped apples on prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for at least an hour, or until the caramel is completely cooled and set.
- Use a food processor or blender to process the graham crackers into fine crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Melt the white chocolate melting wafers or vanilla candy coating according to package directions. Dip each caramel apple into the melted white chocolate, allow to drip, and scrape the excess from the bottom. Let the apple set up for a bit and then roll the bottom half of the apple into the crushed graham crackers.
- Sprinkle the entire apple with cinnamon and sugar. Set apple back on wax paper and allow to set completely.
- Optional: Once apple has set, roll each marshmallow in white chocolate and place on apple as ears. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar before chocolate has set up.
Video
Notes
To add Mickey Mouse ears to your apple, dip a jumbo marshmallow in melted white chocolate. Position it on the apple and angle a toothpick through the top of the marshmallow and into the apple to hold it in place. Use a pair of kitchen shears to snip off the top part of the toothpick that’s sticking out. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and repeat on the other side for the second ear.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Adapted from Favorite Family Recipes
Thanks so much for sharing Samantha!!
To see more of Samantha’s amazing creations, head on over to Five Heart Home.
I made these for my friend’s bridal shower favor. They were such a hit and beautiful! I had people message me telling me how yummy they were! I plan to make them again for a bake sale at my son’s school!
Literally the best Carmel apple ever! We made them twice in November and once this December already!
Literally the best Carmel apple I have ever had! They are so good we made them twice in November and once this December already!
One of my favorite treats to get at Disney!! Love the cinnamon taste!
The Pie Crust on the bottom and the Cinnamon Sugar is my favorite part of this dessert! I have missed these. Not I can make them at home any time I want to!