Caramel For Apples

This homemade caramel for apples recipe is easy to make with 5 ingredients! Use it to make THE BEST gourmet caramel apples at home.

As long as I can remember, my mom has been making soft caramels, especially for the holidays. The last time that I made that recipe, I wondered if it would work as caramel for apples and decided to give it a try and ended up with the best caramel for caramel apples!

What is the best apple for caramel apples?

Granny Smith apples are hands down the best choice for caramel apples. Their tart crispness is the perfect complement to the chewy sweetness of the caramels. They are often more affordable than other apples, and they are typically smaller in size. That being said, you can use any apple you prefer.

Start by removing the wax from the apples. Bring water to a boil and dip chilled Granny Smith apples in the boiling water for 10 seconds only.

How do you remove wax from apples?

Apples have a natural wax coating, and sometimes, an additional food-grade wax coating is added to preserve the apples. The wax is safe to eat, but the caramel doesn’t stick to the wax very well.

We chose to use boiling water to soften the wax and then a rough towel to rub it off. Other options include running the apples under hot water, soaking them in vinegar water, or scrubbing them with baking soda, but I have not tested those methods.

Remove from the water with tongs and use a textured towel to rub off the wax.

Then, place the apple into an ice bath to chill while moving on to the next apple.

Finally, dry them off, insert sticks, and place them in the refrigerator to chill. Depending on the shape of your apples, you might want to put the stick in the bottom of the apple so it doesn’t topple over.

How To Make The BEST Caramel For Apples

Next, put the butter, sweetened condensed milk, granulated sugar, and light corn syrup into a very large, microwave-safe bowl. The bowl needs to be large enough for the mixture to boil up.

Can I make caramel for apples with brown sugar?

This recipe calls for all granulated sugar, and that’s how my mom has always made them. But yes, you can substitute light brown sugar for all or even part of the granulated sugar. The brown sugar will give the caramel more of that molasses flavor.

Start by microwaving the mixture on high for 5 minutes and then stir. The mixture is HOT, so handle it with care.

Then, microwave at 50% power in 5-minute intervals for 15-25 minutes total, or until caramel reaches 238˚F to 244˚F on a candy thermometer. It should be a deep golden color and should form a soft ball in cold water. Remove from the microwave and stir in the vanilla extract.

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?

This caramel apple recipe without heavy cream is cooked completely in the microwave, which is the easiest way to make it! I tested this recipe on the stovetop, and it was way more hands-on (stirring constantly) and harder to keep from burning. Having used both methods, I can 100% recommend using the microwave, but yes, you can use the stovetop if you prefer.

How To Make Caramel Apples

Remove the prepared, chilled apples from the refrigerator. Dip the apples into the caramel, completely covering them all the way to the stick.

Gently twirl the apple back and forth to allow the excess caramel to drip off. Then, flip the apple upside down (like a lollipop) and hold it like that for 20-30 seconds.

Place them on a parchment-covered tray or rimmed baking pan and return them to the refrigerator.

How To Keep Caramel From Sliding Off Apples

1. Prep: Prepare the apples by removing the wax.
2. Chill: We had the best luck with the caramel sticking when we started with chilled apples.
3. Cooking: The caramel needs to be cooked to the right temperature using a candy thermometer. If it isn’t cooked long enough, it won’t be sticky enough. And if it is cooked too long, the caramel will be too hard.
4. Temperature: When dipping the apples, the caramel needs to be hot enough that it will easily coat them but not so hot that it runs off. You may need to allow the caramel to cool for a couple of minutes before dipping them.
5. Flip: We had really good luck keeping the caramel on the apples by flipping them upside down after dipping them and holding them in that position for about 20-30 seconds before placing them on the tray.
6. Chill Again: Return the coated apples to the refrigerator after dipping them so that the caramel cools more quickly and, therefore, has less time to run off.

You can store homemade caramel apples in the refrigerator for up to a week, but we found that they were the best when eaten the same day that we made them.

How do I add toppings?

There are several ways to add caramel apple toppings. The best method depends on what you are using, where you want the toppings to be, and how you want the gourmet apples to look.

• Roll In Toppings: You can roll the dipped caramel apples in toppings like chopped peanuts, mini M&M’s, and mini chocolate chips.
• Sprinkle On Toppings: Sprinkle on lightweight toppings such as crushed Oreos, cinnamon sugar, and small sprinkles.
• Hand Place Candies: For bigger items like gummy worms or large sprinkles such as googly eyes, place them on the apples one at a time.
• Dipping: To add a second layer, you can dip them in melted chocolate chips, almond bark, or candy wafers. To thin the chocolate chips, you can add a little shortening.
• Drizzle Melted Coatings: Melted chocolate or candy coatings can be drizzled on.
• Piping On Decorations: You can put melted candy wafers into a pastry bag and pipe them onto the apples to make lines or shapes.

Once the apple is coated in caramel, roll it in your toppings of choice, place them on a parchment-covered tray or rimmed baking sheet, and immediately place it in the refrigerator.

Gourmet Caramel Apple Recipes

One of the places we love to visit is Duluth, Minnesota. Where we enjoy getting gourmet apples from the candy shop, those gourmet treats inspired this caramel apples recipe that can be made for a fraction of the cost.

M&M’s Caramel Apple: This version is simple but so good! The colorful M&M’s look cheerful, and the chocolate with a crunchy coating is an excellent complement to the creamy caramel. You can also use regular-size M&M’s, but it’s harder to get them to stay in place since they are heavier.

Chocolate Chip Caramel Apple: This one features mini chocolate chips nestled in thick, gooey caramel. This one is perfect for caramel truffle lovers. You can also use full-sized chocolate chips, but they are heavier, so it is harder to get them to stay put.

Caramel Apple With Nuts: A gourmet Peanut Caramel Apple is a classic choice. There is something irresistible about that sweet and salty, crunchy and creamy combination. You can also try adding chopped pecans or walnuts!

Chocolate Covered Caramel Apple Recipes

Another option is to dip them in chocolate! For these gourmet caramel apple recipes, we chose white chocolate, but semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or colorful candy melts will also work.

After melting the white chocolate wafers in the microwave, dip a chilled caramel apple into the white chocolate and allow the excess to drip off. Chilling it before dipping it will help the chocolate coating stick and help keep the toppings from sliding off.

Then, coat it in the toppings of your choice, place it on a parchment-covered tray or rimmed baking pan, and immediately place it in the refrigerator to set.

Dirt ‘n Worms: This kid-friendly version is coated with white chocolate, dipped in crushed Oreos, and topped with a gummy worm.

Apple Pie Cheesecake Caramel Apple: This delightful flavor is dipped in white chocolate and coated with crushed graham crackers, brown sugar, and apple pie spices. You could also do a pumpkin pie version by using pumpkin pie spice instead.

Halloween Caramel Apple: This one is for the kid in all of us! It is dipped in white chocolate and then covered with Halloween sprinkles. For other holidays, use sprinkles that work for the chosen holiday.

Tiger Butter Caramel Apple: This one is first covered in caramel and then white chocolate with a chocolate and peanut butter swirl.

More Easy Caramel Apples To Make

• Salted: Sprinkle sea salt over the dipped caramel apples.
• Turtle: Coat with chopped pecans and mini chocolate chips.
• Rocky Road: Roll in chopped walnuts and mini marshmallows before drizzling with melted chocolate chips
• Candy Bar: Chop up your favorite candy bar to use as a topping.
• S’mores: Dip in melted milk chocolate. Coat with mini marshmallows and chopped graham crackers.
• Grasshopper: Coat with melted chocolate and drizzle with melted mint baking chips.
• Hot Chocolate: Coat with mini marshmallows and sprinkle with powdered hot chocolate mix.
• Peanut Butter Cup: Cover in melted chocolate and then coat with peanut butter chips.

Tips For How To Make Professional Caramel Apples

We made (and ate) a lot of gourmet caramel apples while testing these recipes! Along the way, we came up with some great tips for getting toppings to stick to gourmet apples. That being said, even the professionals don’t get it right every time. So have fun making them, and remember that every candy coated apple tastes fantastic!

• Dipping: Coat chilled, prepped apples with thick hot caramel. If the caramel is sticking well, you have a great chance of the toppings sticking as well.
• Topping Size: Smaller-sized bits will stick the best. So, if you are using nuts, candy bars, or cookies, chop them up first. When using things like M&M’s or chocolate chips, choose the mini ones when possible.
• Refrigeration: After adding the toppings, place the homemade caramel apple on a parchment-covered tray or rimmed baking sheet and immediately place it in the refrigerator. The caramel will start to set up and hold the toppings in place.
• Fill In Gaps: Once they’ve chilled, the caramel is still soft enough that you can fill in any gaps by hand if you feel the need to. Simply press the toppings into the caramel, where you see a gap.
• Chocolate Covered: When coating them with chocolate, start with a chilled caramel apple and refrigerate immediately after adding the toppings.
• Presentation: To give them as gifts, wrap them in cellophane and tie a festive ribbon around the top. Remember to tell the recipients to keep them refrigerated.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Apple Desserts

• These Apple Nachos feature crispy cinnamon sugar tortilla chips.
• Apple Cheesecake Dessert is perfect for autumn!
• This Apple Pretzel Salad includes candied pretzels.
• Our Bloomin’ Baked Apples is our most famous recipe!
• Top warm Apple and Blackberry Crumble with ice cream.

Caramel For Apples

This homemade caramel for apples recipe is easy to make with 5 ingredients! Use it to make THE BEST gourmet caramel apples at home.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 9

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• Candy Apple Sticks
• Digital Thermometer
• Glass Mixing Bowl Set
• Parchment Paper (Twin Pack)

Ingredients

Apples

• 9 granny smith apples

Caramel For Apples

• 1 cup butter
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Apples

• Prepare a bowl of ice water. Set aside.
• Bring water to boil in a saucepan. Place an apple in the boiling water for 10 seconds. Use tongs to remove it from the hot water. Use a rough towel to rub the wax off of the apple. Then place it in the ice water to cool. Repeat with the remaining apples.
• Dry off the apples and insert a skewer or popsicle stick into each apple. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Caramel For Apples

• Be VERY cautious when making, stirring, and dipping apples in caramel because it is super hot.
• In a very, large microwave-safe bowl, put the butter, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and corn syrup. Microwave on high for 5 minutes and then stir.
• Microwave at 50% power in 5 minutes intervals for 15-25 minutes total, or until caramel reaches 238˚F to 244˚F on a candy thermometer. Note: If you have a more powerful microwave, you may need to reduce the power to 30%.
• Remove from the microwave and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Dip the apples into the caramel all of the way to the stick. Gently twirl the caramel apple back and forth to allow the excess caramel to drip off. Then, flip the apple upside down (like a lollipop) and hold it like that for 20-30 seconds. Finally, place them on a parchment covered tray or rimmed baking pan and return them to the refrigerator.

Caramel Apple Toppings

• If you want to add toppings, once the apple is coated in caramel, roll it in your toppings of choice, set it on a parchment-covered tray or rimmed baking sheet, and immediately place it in the refrigerator. *See notes for specific gourmet apples.

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Notes

One: Storage

Store caramel apples in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Two: Dirt ‘n Worms

• Melt 10 ounces of white chocolate melting wafers in the microwave.
• Dip chilled caramel apples into the melted white chocolate and allow the excess to run off.
• Coat the white chocolate with crushed Oreos, add a gummy worm to the top, and immediately place it in the refrigerator on a prepared tray.

Three: Apple Pie Cheesecake

• In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice. Set aside.
• Melt 10 ounces of white chocolate melting wafers in the microwave.
• Dip chilled caramel apples into the melted white chocolate and allow the excess to run off.
• Coat the white chocolate with the graham cracker mixture and immediately place it in the refrigerator on a prepared tray.

Four: Tiger Butter

• Melt 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave. Stir in 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter and 1 teaspoon of shortening. Return to the microwave for a few seconds if necessary. Set aside.
• Melt 10 ounces of white chocolate melting wafers in the microwave.
• Dip chilled caramel apples into the melted white chocolate and allow the excess to run off.
• Drizzle the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the white chocolate. Drag a toothpick through the chocolate to create stripes and immediately place it in the refrigerator on a prepared tray.

Nutrition

Serving: 1apple | Calories: 746kcal | Carbohydrates: 134g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 370mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 128g | Vitamin A: 846IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Course: Apple

Cuisine: American

Author: Tonia Larson