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    You Are Here Home » Fall Recipes

    Published: Oct 4, 2018 Updated: Sep 24, 2020 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 3 Comments

    Gourmet Caramel Apples Recipe

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    caramel apples pin

    It's finally October and the beginning of my favorite time of year! I love decorating for Halloween and making adorable ghost cupcakes. But if you want to make this time of year even sweeter, grab the kids (or grandkids) and make some Gourmet Caramel Apples!

    gourmet caramel apples

    🧐Why This Recipe Works

    • Yes, you can buy pre-made Candy Apples or Taffy Apples at the store, but where's the fun in that?
    • When making your own Gourmet Caramel Apples, you decide what toppings to use. If you don't see your favorite topping listed in my recipe, just substitute your favorite topping in step six of the recipe.
    • Melting caramels is much easier than preparing homemade caramel, which has a tendency to separate. The best part? You don't need a candy thermometer!
    • Caramel apples can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. You'll need to set them out for a bit to get the caramel to soften a bit before sinking your teeth into one!

    🍏 How to Make Caramel Apples

    Step 1: Remove the stems from the apples and replace them with popsicle sticks, wooden sticks, or reusable plastic treat sticks.

    apples with plastic stems ready for dipping into caramel

    Step 2: Place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper over a baking sheet. Spread the softened butter over the waxed paper and set aside. 

    Step 3: Boil water in a medium saucepan. Dip apples, one at a time, into boiling water for 10 seconds; wipe dry. This process helps to remove the wax off the apples, which in turn helps the caramel to stick to the apples.

    apples in boiling water
    four apples on a blue willow plate

    Step 4: Place the caramel apple toppings (toffee bits, mini M&M's, butter-finger bits, and chopped peanuts) into their own individual bowls. 

    caramel apple ingredients for halloween

    Step 5: Unwrap caramels and add them to a small saucepan, along with 2 tablespoons of water. Place the saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until the caramel is completely melted and smooth.

    caramels melting in a pot

    Step 6: Dip cold apples, one at a time, into the caramel sauce. Turn to coat, letting the excess caramel drip off. Quickly dip into the topping of choice, while turning the apple.

    dipping caramel apples

    Pro Tip: If there are bare spots on an apple, spoon more caramel coating over the bare spots then add more topping. 

    caramel apple on a black spiderweb plate

    Step 7: Place the gourmet caramel apples on waxed paper or parchment paper and allow them to set for approximately 30 minutes. 

    When making these gourmet caramel apples, don't forget to get the kiddos involved. Yes, it might mean a bit more mess, but that's what memories are made of.

    Believe me, before you know it, you'll be longing for these days, so make the most of them while you can!

    🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

    What Are the Best Apples For Caramel Apples?

    Unlike baking a pie, I don't think there is a wrong apple to use when it comes to making candied apples.

    I believe that Granny Smith apples are usually used to balance out the tartness of the apples with the sweetness of the caramel, and toppings.

    However, if you prefer Honey Crisp, Galla, Fuji, or my personal favorite, Pink Ladies, go for it!  There are no "gourmet caramel apple police" the last time I checked!

    How do you keep the caramel from sliding off apples?

    Dip apples, one at a time, into boiling water for 10 seconds and wipe dry. This process helps to remove the wax off the apples, which in turn helps the caramel to stick to the apples.

    How long are caramel apples good for?

    Undipped caramel apples are good for up to a week whether stored on the counter or in the refrigerator.

    Dipped caramel apples, however, are best when eaten within the first few days. Especially when using ingredients that can taste stale after a few days, for example, shredded coconut or candy bits.

    🥜 Gourmet Caramel Apples Topping Ideas

    five various flavored caramel apples

    As you can tell, I like mixing things up. I don't always take the traditional path when it comes to my candied apple recipe.

    Don't get me wrong, I love a juicy apple, covered with gooey caramel and crunchy peanuts as much as anybody. Yet, I also enjoy playing around with other flavors.

    One of my favorite flavors is toffee. Mini M&M's might be a bit too sweet for my taste, but kids love them. Not to mention, they sure do look festive! Some like adding sprinkles, but I've never been a sprinkle-kind of girl. Rather, I prefer some of the following toppings:

    • toasted coconut
    • nuts (ground pecans, almonds, walnuts)
    • Reese’s pieces
    • crushed pretzel pieces
    • mini marshmallows
    • Oreo crumbles or other cookie crumbs
    • melted chocolate
    • mini white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chocolate chips
    • cinnamon sugar
    • dark chocolate or semi-sweet milk chocolate for chocolate drizzles

    So, what's your favorite topping?

    👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

    • Choose small to medium apples. Smaller apples will be easier to cover with the hot caramel, and easier to eat.
    • To help the caramel to stick to the gourmet caramel apples, place the apples in the fridge for an hour or so prior to dipping them. The caramel will harden much more quickly when the apples are cold.
    • Caramel apples can be refrigerated, however, they should not be frozen.
    • Although you can use popsicle or lollipop sticks, I used reusable treat sticks that I purchased at Walmart (made by Wilton)
    • If you find this recipe too advanced or time-consuming, you can always try Nena's how to make a simple caramel apple bar recipe, no skill required.
    various caramel apples

    🍎Related Recipes

    • Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
    • 2 jars of apple pie filling recipe with apples around them
      Canning Apple Pie Filling
    • a slice of apple pie
      Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
    • sliced apples covered with dips and toppings
      How To Make A Simple Caramel Apple Bar

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    coconut caramel apple

    Caramel Apples Recipe

    Easy caramel apples recipe with various topping options.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Resting Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 44 minutes
    Servings: 5 people
    Calories: 345kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon softened butter
    • 5 medium Granny Smith apples (or a variety of apples)
    • ½ cup toffee bits
    • ½ cup mini M&M's
    • ½ cup butterfinger bits
    • ½ cup chopped peanuts
    • 1 11 oz. bag Kraft caramels

    Instructions

    • Remove the stems from the apples and replace them with popsicle sticks, wooden sticks, or reusable plastic treat sticks.
    • Place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper over a baking sheet. Spread the softened butter over the waxed paper and set aside. 
    • Boil water in a medium saucepan. Dip apples, one at a time, into boiling water for 10 seconds; wipe dry. This process helps to remove the wax off the apples, which in turn helps the caramel to stick to the apples.
    • Place the caramel apple toppings (toffee bits, mini M&M's, butter-finger bits, and chopped peanuts) into their own individual bowls. 
    • Unwrap caramels and add them to a small saucepan, along with 2 tablespoons of water. Place the saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until the caramel is completely melted and smooth.
    • Dip cold apples, one at a time, into the caramel sauce. Turn to coat, letting the excess caramel drip off. Quickly dip into the topping of choice, while turning the apple.
    • Place apples on waxed paper and allow to set for approximately 30 minutes. 

    Notes

    • If there are bare spots on an apple, spoon more caramel coating over the bare spots then add more topping. 
    • To help the caramel to stick to the gourmet caramel apples, place the apples in the fridge for an hour or so prior to dipping them. The caramel will harden much more quickly when the apples are cold.
    • Caramel apples can be refrigerated, however, they should not be frozen.
    • Although you can use popsicle or lollipop sticks, I used reusable treat sticks that I purchased at Walmart (made by Wilton).
    * Nutrition info is for a plain caramel apple, due to variations in toppings.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1apple | Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 155mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 62g
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

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      Halloween Chocolate Covered Oreos
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    1. Kelly Methey says

      October 20, 2019 at 8:29 am

      5 stars
      I love candy apples! I haven’t had one in years, this recipe is going to fix that! The possibilities are endless with the toppings! What a fun thing to do with kiddos and adults! Thanks for reminding me how good they are. Can’t wait to make these and bite into all that gooey goodness!

      Reply
    2. Anne Herrington says

      October 05, 2018 at 11:45 am

      YUM

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        October 05, 2018 at 12:48 pm

        Yes! You should make some with Judah!

        Reply

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