We LOVE caramel apples (like super-duper love) and enjoy them year-round. This dessert unlocks the secrets that surpass anything you’ll find at the market. We love the flavor so much, we have a Caramel Apple Fudge and a Caramel Apple Dip!
Yes, we know these can often be bought in grocery stores and candy shops, but you’d be surprised how easy they are to make at home. You’ll also realize how easy they are to customize and that they’re even better homemade!
They’re the perfect addition to your fall desserts repertoire.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Fun and festive treat. Making caramel apples is a blast! This easy dessert recipe for kids is a perfect activity for parties, holidays, or a simple after-school treat.
- Customizable for everyone. This treat caters to all tastes! Use different colored chocolate, add your favorite chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even cookie crumbles for endless flavor variations.
- Gift-able and perfect for sharing. Wrap them up in cellophane or festive bags for a charming and personalized gift for friends, family, or neighbors.
Caramel Apples Ingredients and Substitutions
- 6 skewers or popsicle sticks
- 6 apples Granny Smith, Fuji or Honeycrisp – Whether sweet or tart, be sure the apples you choose are firm and bruise-free
- 1 (11-ounce) bag Brach’s Milk Maid caramels, unwrapped
- 3 tablespoons water
- optional candy coating – melted white chocolate candy coating, color candy coating, milk or dark chocolate coating.
- optional toppings – festive sprinkles, chopped nuts (peanuts, pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds), mini M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, crushed cookies or candies (Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, graham crackers, Butterfingers, Reeses, Pretzels, or Oreos)
Apple Suggestions
- SWEET: Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Empire, or Golden Delicious
- MILDLY TART: McIntosh, Paula Red, Wealthy, or Rome Beauty
- TART: Granny Smith, Cortland, Melrose, or Winesap
- SWEET AND TART: Jazz, Pink Lady, or Jonagold
How to Make Caramel Apples
- PREP. Wash 6 apples and let them dry completely. This will help remove the wax from the apple skin, allowing the caramel to stick better.
- Remove apple stems and insert skewers or popsicle sticks 1–2 inches in.
- Place apples on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
- CARAMEL. In the top of a double boiler or in a medium pot over low heat, combine 1 (11-ounce) bag caramels and 3 tablespoons water and cook, stirring the entire time, until caramel is fully melted and reaches about 240°F, 12–14 minutes.
- DIP. Working one at a time, hold an apple by the stick, tilt the pot at an angle, and swirl apple in caramel to coat. Gently tap to let excess caramel drip off, then place apple back on parchment paper. Once all apples have been dipped, refrigerate again for 30 minutes.
- ENJOY! Once caramel has set, enjoy the apples as they are, or dip in melted candy coating, sprinkle on any desired toppings, and set at room temperature.
- Store apples refrigerated but remove from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
Homemade Double Boiler
Use a small saucepan and a glass or metal heat-safe bowl.
- Bring 2 inches of water to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low heat.
- Place the bowl on top, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
- Add the store-bought caramels and water to the bowl. The steam from the water will heat the bowl melting the caramel.
We like this method because the caramel sauce stays warm without fearing that it will scorch. Use a clean bowl if you are going to melt chocolate for another coating.
How to Make Caramel Apples
Video
Ingredients
- 6 skewers or popsicle sticks
- 6 apples, Granny Smith, Fuji or Honeycrisp
- 1 (11-ounce) bag Brach’s Milk Maid caramels, unwrapped
- 3 tablespoons water
- melted white chocolate candy coating, optional
Toppings
- sprinkles, chopped nuts, crushed candy, optional
Instructions
- Wash apples and let them dry completely. This will help remove the wax on the apple skin, allowing the caramel to stick better.
- Remove apple stems and insert skewers or popsicle sticks 1–2 inches in.
- Place apples on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
- In the top of a double boiler or in a medium pot over low heat, combine caramels and water and cook, stirring the entire time, until caramel is fully melted and reaches about 240°F, 12–14 minutes.
- Working one at a time, hold an apple by the stick, tilt the pot at an angle, and swirl apple in caramel to coat. Gently tap to let excess caramel drip off, then place apple back on parchment paper. Once all apples have been dipped, refrigerate again for 30 minutes.
- Once caramel has set, you can enjoy your apples as they are, or dip in melted candy coating, sprinkle on any desired toppings, and set at room temperature.
- Store apples refrigerated but remove from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Other topping ideas. The possibilities are endless—try topping these with mini M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, crushed graham crackers, crushed Butterfingers, or crushed Oreos.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Dip as little or as much of the caramel apple into a candy coating. You can use chocolate, white, or another color that matches the holiday.
Most candy coating packages will have directions on how to melt it, but I like using the double boiler method.
Dip in the melted candy coating, then in your toppings. Put them back in the fridge to set up. Take them out 30 minutes before serving, so they’re at just the right temperature to eat!
After dipping the apple in caramel and placing it in the refrigerator, you may notice that some of the caramel slid down and settled at the bottom creating a “caramel foot”. To remove, trim away larger pieces, then, using your fingers, gently smooth out the remainder of the caramel.
If the caramel is not staying on the apples try the following: Keep the caramel just hot enough to melt together, but not too hot that it slides right off. Once you wash the wax off of the apple, use fine-grit sandpaper to rough up the skin, but do not break the skin. This will make “grooves” for the caramel to cling to. Make sure the apples are cold and dry.
Apples that have NOT been pierced with a stick can last at room temperature for about 7 days.
Apples that have a stick should be kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Use a container that will allow for airflow.
Cut caramel apple slices can be kept in an airtight container. Treat the apple slices with lemon juice or use Balls Fresh Fruit to help keep them from browning.
Do notfreeze.
More Like This
Caramel Apple Recipes
Black Candy Apples
15 mins
Caramel Apple Nachos
15 mins
Apple Pie Caramel Apple
18 mins
Caramel Apple Fudge
1 hr 15 mins
Caramel Desserts and Treats
Caramel Popcorn Recipe
15 mins
Caramel Candy
1 hr 40 mins
Caramel Cookies
22 mins
Caramel Cake
1 hr 45 mins
Collections
This recipe was originally published October 2013.
These caramel apples are such a fun treat! My kids enjoyed them, I’m keeping this recipe as I’m planning to make some more next time for giveaways!
We made these as a back to school treat for teachers–everyone LOVED them! So tasty too!
We love these apples! They are so easy to make! We are making them again for our fall/Halloween party at school!
Made these yesterday for the kids’ afternoon snack and they had a blast! They super love and enjoy them! Definitely making these again this Sunday for our Fam gathering!
My kids had so much fun making these caramel apples! We cut them into slices and enjoyed them with cider! So good!
This is such an amazing way to enjoy apples! Amazing!
Typically, you either over cooked the caramel to a hard Crack state or you just need to pull them out for like 30 minutes ahead of time to let them soften up
So so yummy! My fave is caramel, white chocolate, and then cinnamon sugar!
After we refirgerated the caramel apples, the caramel was really hard and just broke off.
Any suggestions? did i over heat the caramels?
TY!
Here are my tips for helping with the caramel….Keep the caramel just hot enough to melt together, but not too hot that it slides right off.
Once you wash the wax off of the apple, use a fine grit sandpaper to rough up the skin, but do not break the skin. This will makes “grooves” for the caramel to cling to. Make sure the apples are cold and dry.
I had problems with my apples oozing juice from where the stick is inserted. What do you suggest for that. My caramel was good, my chocolate was good, my candy dip was good, but all oozed juice near the stick and ruined the caramel, the choc and the candy.
Hmm?? I didn’t have too much of that. Since, they are upside down, the caramel should be hardened. It might ooze a little still, but should be ok. Maybe let them ooze for a bit, before adding the caramel or whatever topping you’d like..that might help!
wow!! this trick sounds a bit crazy but it really works, I love it..
Lol..thank you!!
SAMS CLUB HAS SEASONAL CARAMEL APPLES THAT MY KIDS ALWAYS WANT AND I NEVER BUY. BUT I WILL MAKE THEM! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR RECIPE WITH ALL THE TIPS.
These caramel apples are the perfect fall treat!
THESE LOOK AH-MAZING! I AM SO READY FOR FALL AND NOTHING SCREAMS FALL QUITE LIKE CARAMEL APPLES. THANKS FOR THE RECIPE!
These are so tasty! My absolute fav!
These tips are awesome! The biggest issue I’ve always had is the caramel slides right off. I love the tip to add some grooves with sand paper and also mkae sure they’re cold.
The best treat to make for fall! We all love these.
Caramel apples are the best!! You make it look so easy & they are so pretty!! I can’t wait for all things Fall!!
These look awesome! I’m making them for a party this weekend and am wondering how far in advance I can make them? Do they keep well overnight in the fridge?
I think a night would be fine, but not much more than that. 😉
How much water do you add for each bag of caramel?
How long do you think these would keep? I’m making a ton for a trunk-or-treat.
I always make the day of but think a day in advance would be fine. 😉
raelmente rico que fantastica receta de manzanas acarameladas
How long does it take for the caramel to set? Does it ever really get hard?
It never got really hard for us and ended up being the perfect caramel consistency. 🙂
thanks for the tips. i’ve never made before and we decided to attempt and it was a disaster. we had more caramel off the apples than on. we are definatly going to try again using your tips.
I hope they help!! I’ve made them in the past as well without much success, but was able to make good ones with these tips I researched out. 🙂
Love it! If you haven’t linked up yet, come share your project on Teach Me Tuesday: http://www.somedayilllearn.com/2013/10/21/teach-tuesday-38/
This is my go to fall dessert! I love them!!!
I’m right there with ya!! I LOVE Caramel Apples!!
Where did you end up finding brachs caramels? I don’t want to be running all over an be able to get the good caramel for our apples! Thanks!
I’ve seen them at every grocery store. They are either in the baking aisle by the chocolate chips or in the candy section. Right now, with Halloween, they may be in the Halloween candy section. 🙂
If you used a double boiler (or a glass bowl over simmering water) if would be much easier to keep the caramel warm while dipping.
Well, Kristyn, I made the apples. Come and check out my post on the whole experience. LOL
http://www.bitzngiggles.com/2013/10/the-truth-about-making-caramel-apples.html
You had me laughing. I’m so sorry it was a bit complicated. They turned out great though!! Way to go!
Your caramel apples look GREAT!! What brand of chocolate di you use?
I used Plymouth Pantry Almond Bark, and it worked perfectly!
Great project !!
I would love you to come and share @ Craft, Create & Inspire linky party !!!
Look forward to seeing you there 🙂
http://lemonpaperdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/craft-create-inspire-linky-party.html
Claire x
Oh my goodness. Caramel apples are my favorite too! When ever I’m travelling, I always buy them at the airport, it’s tradition.
I think that sounds like a MARVELOUS tradition!!
I needed to see this post last week. We just made come caramel apples, and I totally needed you tips! I guess we’ll try again. I’m in love with the sticks you used- they add the perfect touch to your apples. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a great weekend!
You definitely need to make them again because they are just too good not to!! I hope these tips help out. Have a great week! XO
Yummy in my tummy! Thanks Kristyn! These look amazing! 🙂
Thank you, Michelle! And thanks for stopping by. 😉
These look great Kristyn! I’m going to make some for my kids’ carnival birthday party this weekend. Any idea about how many apples you got out of each bag of caramels? I’m trying to decide how many bags of caramels I’m going to need for 2 dozen apples.
They will be perfect for the carnival!! I wanted to make sure there was a good amount of caramel on each apple and got about 6-7 (and these were smaller apples) covered with each bag. Looks like you’ll need about 4 bags. Hope that helps!
It certainly does! Thank you! Wish me luck!
Good luck!! 😀
Yummy!!! It’s that time of year….caramel apples!! Love the ones with the oreos!!
Oh boy, those ones were my favorite!! The kids all went for the apples with sprinkles and most of the adults that were here went for the ones with Oreos. YUM!!
wowwww…….rico!rico!!!saludos de España!!! 🙂
THANK YOU!!!