These Homemade Caramel Apples make a perfect fall treat! They are easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Just mix, boil and dip!
It’s Fall, one of my favorite times of the year! There are so many delicious fall treats I love to make. Especially desserts and treats that feature apples, which are in abundance this time of year. Recently I posted my Easy Homemade Candy Apples but today, I am sharing these Homemade Caramel Apples, for those of you who love caramel. They are easy to make and only consist of a few simple ingredients. These caramel apples are soft, buttery and silky! A delicious treat for any occasion!
Homemade Caramel Apples-Ingredients
Pure vanilla extract, salt, dark brown sugar, water, light corn syrup, heavy whipping cream, butter and apples.
- Pure vanilla extract & Salt: both of these ingredients add flavor.
- Dark brown sugar: adds a lot of flavor and a silky texture to the caramel.
- Water: adding just a little water will help the sugar to dissolve and distribute more evenly.
- Light corn syrup: acts as the sticky, taffy like base that helps the coating stick to the apples.
- Heavy whipping cream: this is the base of the caramel. Adds richness and creaminess.
- Butter: Adds flavor and helps to make the caramel smooth.
- Apples: Granny Smith, Macoun, or Empires make great caramel apples because they are tart. Their tartness balances the sweet, buttery caramel coating perfectly. In addition, they tend to be hard and firm. I like to use apples that are small to medium sized, round and symmetrical and free of bruises and soft spots.
How to make Homemade Caramel Apples
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment lightly with baking spray with flour. Or use a silicone baking mat. Lastly, you can also just butter your baking sheets. Set sheet aside.
Wash and dry the apples. Apples have a waxy coating that needs to be removed before they are dipped into the caramel. If you do not get this waxy coating off, the caramel won’t stick to the skin of the apple. In addition, make sure your apples are cold. Cold apples help the caramel stick and adhere to the apple more quickly.
Pull the stem out and insert a stick. You can use popsicle sticks or caramel apple sticks. Both work well.
In a medium sauce pan, add heavy cream, water, light corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, and salt. Stir ingredients together.
Over medium heat, bring ingredients to a boil.
Continue to boil until a candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees. This is known as the Soft Ball Stage. This should take about 15-20 minutes. However, use the candy thermometer as your guide. Depending on your stove, and whether it is gas or electric, cooking times may vary.
Remove the caramel from the heat. Stir in pure vanilla extract. Set pan aside too cool for a few minutes. Dip apples into the caramel, turning the apple in a circular motion. Lift and let the excess caramel drip off the apple. Then place the apple on the prepared baking sheet.
Let the caramel set for about 30 minutes.
Cut and enjoy!
Store apples in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Loosely cover.
Caramel Apple Toppings
These Homemade Caramel Apples are delicious on their own, however, you may want to add some toppings to your apple. Some great toppings include: nuts, sprinkles, M&Ms, chocolate chips and coconut.
After the apple is dipped, before the caramel sets, roll the apple in the topping of your choice. There are endless possibilities! Experiment and see which ones are your favorite!
In addition to these toppings, you can also drizzle white, milk or dark chocolate over the apple. Make sure that the caramel is set before drizzling on the chocolate. Go crazy and drizzle away! Add all three, if so desired!
For more apple treats try my:
Apple Cinnamon Bread with Streusel Topping
Quick & Easy Homemade Applesauce
Sweet & Simple Apple Pie Cupcakes
Homemade Caramel Apples
Equipment
- Candy Thermometer
- Medium sized sauce pan
- Wooden spoon
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat
Ingredients
- 2 cups dark brown sugar packed
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp water
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray sheet lightly with baking spray with flour. Or use a silicone baking mat and set aside.
- Wash and dry the apples.
- Pull the stem out and insert a popsicle or caramel apple stick.
- In a medium sauce pan, add heavy cream, water, light corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, salt and pure vanilla extract. Stir ingredients together.
- Over medium heat, bring ingredients to a boil until a candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees. This is known as the Soft Ball Stage.
- Remove the caramel from the heat. Stir in pure vanilla extract. Set pan aside too cool for a few minutes. Dip apples into the caramel, turning the apple in a circular motion. Lift and let the excess caramel drip off the apple. Then place on prepared baking sheet.
- Let the caramel set for about 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Add some toppings/chocolate drizzles
- If desired, add some toppings to your apple! After the apple is dipped, before the caramel sets, roll the apple in the topping of your choice. There are endless possibilities! Experiment and see which ones are your favorite!
- In addition, you can also drizzle white, milk or dark chocolate over the apple. Make sure that the caramel is set before drizzling on the chocolate. Go crazy and drizzle away! Add all three, if so desired!
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