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Found at fairs, candy stores and amusement parks, you can now make these simple caramel apples at home and change them up to your liking.
A Favorite Family Treat
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 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.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 1 hour 40 minutes
COOK TIME: 15 minutes
- 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.
More Like This
- More caramel apple recipes: Black Candy Apples, Caramel Apple Nachos, Apple Pie Caramel Apple, Caramel Apple Fudge
- More caramel desserts and treats: Caramel Popcorn, Caramel Candy, Caramel Cookies, Caramel Cake
More collections: Christmas Desserts, Valentine’s Desserts, Halloween Desserts, Fall Desserts
Caramel Apples
Simple caramel apples take a humble fruit and give it a sophisticated upgrade for a delightfully decadent and festive treat.
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.
Video
Notes
Make ahead of time. Covered and refrigerated, caramel apples will keep for up to 2 weeks.
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.
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
Serving: 1apple, Calories: 95kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 0.5g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 0.01mg, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 195mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 98IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
How to Dip a Caramel Apple into Candy Coating?
- 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!
Remove the “Caramel Foot”?
- 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.
How to Make the Caramel Stay on the Apples?
- 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.
Gifting IDeas?
- Clear cellophane bags. A simple and elegant way to showcase the apple. Twist the top of the bag closed with a ribbon or tie for a festive touch.
- Small gift boxes. Find small decorative boxes that fit the apple comfortably. Add a bed of shredded tissue paper for presentation.
- Treat bags. Small festive treat bags with clear windows are another attractive option.
- Basket. If you’re giving multiple caramel apples as gifts, consider arranging them in a basket or decorative box filled with shredded crinkle paper for a delightful presentation.
- Tags. Include an ingredients list as well as storage information.
How to Store Caramel Apples?
- 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 not freeze.
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.