Homemade Caramel Apples
I’ve partnered with SocialStars and #WalmartProduce to create these
Homemade Caramel Apples. Grab some crispy apples and fun toppings and host
a Homemade Caramel Apple party this weekend!
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October may very well be my favorite month. Not only is football back in full force, but we have Halloween just around the corner, too. However, the best part about Fall is the weather! Here in upstate NY, the reds, oranges and yellows of the leaves as they change colors is absolutely stunning. If I could live somewhere where it was Fall year-round, I might just do it.
Oh, and how can I talk about the awesomeness of this time of the year without mentioning apples? I’m a sucker for fresh fruit, and I’m usually good to go with whatever fruit is in season. But apples are different. I’ve gotten spoiled with the dozens of different apple varieties that I’ve discovered up here. Honeycrisp and Gala have earned top spots on my list for snacking, and Granny Smith remain my favorite for baking. (Maximus, my dog, is sitting under me right now, and he just chimed in that Granny Smith are his favorite. That dog has an apple problem.)
Come Fall, we eat apples like they are going out of style. You know what they say about an apple a day, right? Aside from just snacking on them plain, one of my favorite ways to eat apples is to turn them into Homemade Caramel Apples. Caramel apples are a classic fair food, and I always seek them out when I can.
Speaking of state fairs, my wife and I actually spent our honeymoon at the North Carolina State Fair. Yup, you read that right. With one of her bridesmaids and her sister. I guess I should clarify that one, huh? Well, we got married in Durham, NC, and my then-fiancee got an amazing job offer the week before our wedding. Since we were both either in or just out of grad school at the time, we had decided to postpone our honeymoon for a couple of months. (We ended up taking an awesome delayed honeymoon to Italy the next Spring.) While we were up in NC for the wedding, we realized the state fair was in town. So, the night after the wedding, we hopped in the car and went over to check it out. I did mention that I love caramel apples, right?
I was walking through the Walmart Produce section the other day, and I was struck by all of the fresh apples they had out. We live in the center of apple country, and we often swing by local farms to grab apples when we can. But I noticed that many of the apples in Walmart were from New York. How cool is that? The apples in Walmart are picked by farmers, and they’re backed with a 100% money-back guarantee. Since I’m in Walmart quite a bit for groceries and errands, it’s super convenient to just stop by the Produce section and grab some fresh apples.
Homemade Caramel Apples
Homemade Caramel ApplesHave you ever made caramel apples at home? They’re surprisingly easy, and they’re really fun to decorate. In fact, that would be a fun party idea. Grab a bunch of apples from Walmart along with various toppings. Invite friends over and everyone gets to decorate their own caramel apple. For toppings, I’d suggest chopped toasted walnuts, chopped candy bars, milk and white chocolate, crumbled cookies, sprinkles…get creative! (For instance, I made a couple with chopped candy corn since Halloween is just around the corner.)
I typically just use packages of individually wrapped caramels when making caramel apples. This time, I found some caramel bits in the baking aisle, so I used those instead. Both work great! I also grabbed some sticks from the yard to use instead of craft sticks. Those are a fun addition, but make sure the sticks are sturdy enough to hold the weight of an apple. (And I did wash the sticks and dry them before using. I wash a lot dishes as a food blogger, but I gotta say this is the first time I’ve ever washed sticks.) So embrace your inner kid and make some of these Homemade Caramel Apples!
Did you make these Homemade Caramel Apples at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). I’d love to see your version!
Homemade Caramel Apples
Ingredients
For the Caramel Apples
- 8 apples Granny Smith or favorite variety
- craft sticks
- 2 14-oz packages of individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
- 3 Tbsp milk
For the Toppings
- 2 oz. ~1/3 cup milk chocolate, chopped
- 2 oz. ~1/3 cup white chocolate, chopped
- 2 tsp corn syrup divided
- 1 cup walnuts finely chopped
- various other toppings candy bars, candy corn, sprinkles, coconut flakes, etc.
Instructions
For the Caramel Apples
- Carefully dip each apple in a pot of boiling water for about 6-7 seconds. (This will help the caramel stick better.)
- Fully dry and remove the stem from each apple. Using a skewer, create a small hole at the top of each apple. Insert a craft stick, skewer or stick into the top of each apple. (Tip: Make sure the apples are room temperature and not cold.)
- Line a baking tray with wax paper; set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add the unwrapped caramels and milk. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for 30-45 more seconds, or until caramels are fully melted. (You can also melt the caramels with the milk in a medium saucepot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.)
- Working quickly, roll each apple in the caramel. If desired, roll the apples in chopped nuts, candy corn, sprinkles, etc.
- Place apples on wax paper and let harden for about 20 minutes. (To speed up the process, you can refrigerate apples for about 5 minutes).
For the Toppings
- Place the milk chocolate and 1 tsp of corn syrup in a medium heat-proof bowl and set bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has fully melted.
- Carefully transfer melted chocolate into a piping bag or a sandwich bag. Snip a tiny corner off of the bag and drizzle the apples with chocolate as desired.
- Repeat with white chocolate.
- Place apples on the wax paper until the chocolate fully hardens (about 10-15 minutes).
Looking for more caramel apple recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
When I first saw this picture on Food Foto Gallery – I thought it might have been yours – and I was right! These would indeed be a GREAT party idea! And -don’t laugh-but, I haven’t ever eaten a candy apple before – nor have I ever made one – every year I say I will get one or look for a recipe and then I never do – This year you wave these in my face – with easy instructions!!! I had no clue dipping them in hot water for 6-7 minutes would help the caramel stick!
When you mention a place that feels like fall all year long – I couldn’t help but think of San fran – when my daughter and I visited in July a few years ago, temps were in the 60’s during the day – it was so gorgeous we stayed outdoors ALL day – EVERY day we were there!
Too funny–how in the heck did you know that would be my picture? You know me too well, Shashi! 🙂 Caramel apples are insanely easy to make…and they are really fun to decorate, too. That’s the best part…you can decorate them with whatever you like. Candy bars? Sure! Candy corn? Of course! I can only imagine the awesome creations that would come out of your kitchen. Oh, but it’s only 6-7 seconds in the boiling water…not 6-7 minutes. You’d end up with some crazy mushy apples! 🙂
And San Fran, huh? Sounds like I might need to plan a move to Cali soon. Haha!
Wait – what – I thought y’all were moving back to ATL??? WE have THE Dekalb Farmers Market!!! The house just next door to me was recently bought – but a couple of streets down there are a couple for sale…just saying…
Oh – my bad – I read your writing wrong – So the apples are raw? Boy I have some misconstrued views on what a candy apple really is! I am so deprived!
You forgot to mention ME, Shashi!
That did it, right? Now you’re moving back to the ATL. Phew. Glad we resolved that! 😉
Hahaha! Well, winter is coming…which means snow. *Packing my car now. See you guys soon!*
You’ve never had a caramel apple before, Shashi?! I’m not gonna laugh about it… I’m gonna weep tears. You’re missing out on one of life’s sweet pleasures. *sniffle*
Oh Becca- I know it’s sad isn’t it! I think my daughter and I need to come spend a week with you so you can tell us what we have been missing!
Gah! I can’t stand how envious I am of your ability to make people drool on their keyboards. Good grief, you rock my world! These caramel apples look amazing.
P.S. Shipping to Wisconsin isn’t very expensive…. #justsayin
Haha! If I had some apples left over, you’d be the first person I’d send them to, Becca! But the good news is they are incredibly easy to make. And now I want a caramel apple…and it’s only 10am. Thanks for that. 🙂
I really am not stalking your comments – but seriously – what’s this about shipping candy apples to Becca???? I want in on that!!!
10 AM crazy food obsessions are my specialty, Sweetness. Call me anytime 🙂
If only my mailman would quit eating all of the food I send out to Becca and Shashi….in the words of Michelle from Full House, “how rude!”
Love caramel apples! They look amazing!
Thank you so much, Jess!
How fun! I’ve made caramel apples once about two years ago for an event I hosted. They were so delicious!! These apples look amazing and perfect! I wish I had one right now! 🙂 And LOL at washing sticks! The things food bloggers do. Love it!
Haha…washing sticks is definitely not something I ever thought I would do. I even put them in the oven on low temp for a few minutes so they would dry faster. “Hi, my name is David, and I wash and bake sticks from my yard.” 🙂
LOL!! Hilarious!
This looks so cute! Tree branch in the apple! Love caramel and apple combination. Yum… 🙂
Thank you so much, Valya! Nothing says Fall like a delicious caramel apple, right??
Soooo these are the prettiest photos of caramel apples that I have seen, David. Seriously you outdid yourself! AND those adorable stick stems…too cute. It almost makes me want to eat one. But not quite because I really hate getting all that in my teeth and there is no graceful way to eat a caramel apple. And I abhor eating ungracefully. Anyways. They are gorgeous and I want to use them to decorate my condo.
Hahaha…I love that you would rather decorate your condo with these apples than eat them. I couldn’t agree more about gracefully eating caramel apples, though. I say you just have to go in and get all up in that apple! Or, more realistically, you could do what I do and slice the apple and then eat the slices. That way only your fingers get messy instead of your whole face!
And who would have thought I’d ever end up washing and drying sticks from my back yard? #NotMe
LOL! I wondered if you bought those from a craft store or you found them. Your resourcefulness amazes me. 🙂
And, yes, you have to cut them up but then the outside falls off and you curse yourself wishing that you had just cut up a damned apple and dipped it in caramel sauce! 😉
Haha! You are totally right, Lindsey! That’s why I say you should just go for it and stick your face right into the middle of a yummy caramel apple. 🙂
And yes, I definitely went hunting around in my backyard looking for “straight-ish” sticks that would work for this project. The things we do for fun…haha!
So David….I’m thinking a vlog or post on how to eat this while looking like a gentleman would be great- I once ate one when in America from a fair and I think I had a caramel moustache.
These pictures look epic.
Thanks, Arman! I think a post on how to eat caramel apples while looking like a gentleman would be pretty much impossible. I nominate you to take on that task! Haha! 🙂
I have never made my own caramel apples before! This is definitely a recipe that I need to make – these look so delicious!
Oh, they are so easy, Thalia! And they would make for a really fun party. Just have a bunch of different toppings prepped and let everyone decorate their own apple. Mmm…now I’m craving caramel apples! 🙂
There’s nothing more romantic than a state fair honeymoon. Just you, your bride, and funnel cakes for as far as the eye can see. #weddedbliss
Hahahah, glad you finally got to go to Italy. LOVE Italy. Can’t wait to go back sometime. Maybe we need to do a #wolfpack conference there? hahaha.
I totally ate a funnel cake that night, Chris. I might have gotten powdered sugar ALL over me. Just sayin’. I’m thinking a #Wolfpack conference in the Chianti region sounds like an excellent idea. Let’s make that one happen!
Those look like perfection!! I love the twigs… I’ve been thinking of doing some apples with the twig sticks. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Bettijo! The twigs were a last second idea, and I’m glad I used ’em…although that is the first time I’ve ever washed twigs before. Haha!
Dave that chocolate drizzled one sold me, wow! Crazy delicious photos!
Wow! Thanks, Kevin. I may or may not have eaten that chocolate-drizzled caramel apple first. Almost as soon as the picture was taken. Haha!
My Fall is not complete unless I have a caramel apple! These look ridiculously delicious! They belong on the cover of a gourmet food magazine. 🙂
Thanks, Tina…you are way too kind! Oh, and now I am craving caramel apples again. Thanks a lot! 🙂
David, these are gorgeous!!! love and pinned!!
Yay! Thank you so much, Alice! Now I’m craving caramel apples again…gee, thanks a lot. Haha! 🙂
I was looking at your candy apples but got distracted by these. I love any kind of dressed up apples. I’m going to make these with my sons. They also love apples. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Both the candy apples and caramel apples are super fun to make…and even more fun to eat! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Lucee! I really appreciate it. 🙂
I know this is an older post, but these caramel apples are gorgeous. I’ve never made them, maybe cause they’re so hard to eat! I love the styling in these photos. October, November and December are my favorite months, because of the weather and the holidays. Ever since my husband and I have been married The Cowboys haven’t done that well, except for a time with Barry Switzer as coach. So it’s just not as much fun to watch them anymore. Although their first game was great, so maybe they’re back?!! anyway, great post, and I love the quotes!
Hey Mimi! This might be an older post, but it’s still one of my favorite ones for the Fall. I mean how often do you have the opportunity to wash and dry sticks from the backyard? 🙂
I’m with ya on the Cowboys. They’ve been down the past few years. I grew up a Cowboys fan actually (I was born in Dallas), but my allegiances have switched to the Saints. Aren’t you glad football season is back??