Caramel Apples
Fall + Apple Season=Caramel Apple Time
Servings: 7 apples
Ingredients
- 7 small tart apples, like Granny Smith or Jonathan
- 15 oz. caramels, such as Werther's Chewy
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- festive fall toppings, optional
Instructions
- Rinse and dry apples, insert a caramel apple or popsicle stick into each apple.
- Prepare toppings in separate bowls or shakers, is using. Examples could be sprinkles, chopped nuts, mini-chocolate chips, crushed candy bars, coconut, etc.
- Line a 13 x 9 baking sheet or baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper, spray parchment paper with no-stick spray and set in the refrigerator.
- Place caramels and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl - about 5-cup size.
- Heat caramels and cream in 30-second increments, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth. This will take about 2-3 minutes. If caramel is extra runny, let it cool briefly so it doesn't run right off the apples.
- Dip apples one at a time into the caramel at an angle, so it covers nearly to the top center. Rotate and turn to coat apple. Lift apple and let excess run off, then run bottom of apple along the inside of bowl to remove excess caramel. Left apple upside down to let caramel run up the apple a bit, then immediately roll in toppings - or sprinkle with toppings before the caramel sets. You may need to gently push toppings into caramel to get topping to stick.
- Turn apples right side up and place on prepared baking dish. Repeat process with remaining apples. As needed reheat caramel in the microwave in 15 second increments, for a runny, dip-able consistency.
- Allow caramel to set up completely, about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. You can eat them before this, but if you want caramel to firm back up the wait is about 30 minutes. Cut the apples into slices just when you are ready to eat them. Enjoy!
Notes
The author does not recommend Werther's Soft Caramels because they tend to melt off the apples. Kraft caramels will also work, may not taste as good as the Werther's. Can also drizzle melted chocolate or white chocolate over the apples. Other topping ideas: crushed Oreos, chopped candy bars, crushed graham crackers, mini M&Ms, crushed pretzels and marshmallow bits.