With this fun and simple recipe, you’ll learn how to easily prepare beautiful caramel apples that look like they belong in a gourmet candy shop. Every time I make these and share, people always ask for the recipe!
This fall I have been absolutely soaking up the flavors of the season. Did you try my Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake recipe? Or my newest favorite Apple Cream Cheese Danish? I love the spiced drinks and delicious fruits that hit their stride in fall. Pears, peaches, raspberries, and of course, apples! Caramel apples are something I enjoy making every Autumn season, and it’s so easy (and worth it) to skip the store and make this recipe from scratch.
In last 2 weeks I have experimented with many recipes and even had a few fails (think caramel dripping off the apples all over the counter). However, I am SO thrilled today to tell you that I have finally nailed down what I feel to be the PERFECT gourmet caramel apple recipe! Glossy and thick coating, sweet and buttery caramel flavor that melts in your mouth, and the perfect recipe to use for a caramel apple dipping bar so that any topping you love best can be added!
Love caramel? You might want to check out these recipes…
Don’t let the word “gourmet” intimidate you, this recipe is quite basic! The fun and fancy part comes in when you decide to dress up your caramel apples with white chocolate, cinnamon and sugar, salted nuts, heath bits, sprinkles, chopped candy bars, or drizzled chocolate. These little dipping sticks make them look extra cute. Really, the possibilities are endless. Dress them up even more in a quick wrap of cellophane and a ribbon, and you’ve got yourself a gourmet caramel apple, my dear!
What makes the perfect caramel apple?
- A thick layer of caramel coating a tart apple.
- Caramel is shiny, not dull.
- Caramel adheres to the apple, even after slicing so you get a taste with each bite!
- We love Granny Smith apples or cosmic crisp for this recipe.
- I can usually get 5-6 apples dipped with each batch. If you’re wanting to make more apples or if you are hosting an apple dipping party, I would suggest making 3 separate batches and adding each to a small crockpot on warm. Stir occasionally. This has worked great for me!
Gourmet Caramel Apples, the easy way!
Equipment
- Popsicle sticks, ribbon, cellophane, paper cupcake liners
Ingredients
- 5-6 Granny Smith, cosmic crisp or honeycrisp apples
- 1/2 cup (one stick, 8 tablespoons) salted butter melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup I use Karo
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional toppings:
- White chocolate melted
- Roasted, salted nuts chopped
- Candy bars of your choice chopped
- Milk chocolate melted
- Cinnamon and sugar (sprinkle over white chocolate)
Instructions
- 1. Wash apples and dry them well before dipping. Press a dipping stick into each apple. 2. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.3. In a large microwave safe bowl (I use glass), melt the butter.Add white and brown sugars, karo syrup, condensed milk, and salt. Stir well to combine.4. Return the bowl to the microwave and cook for exactly 6 minutes, 30 seconds. Do not stir the caramel while cooking, just leave it in the microwave the entire time. Be sure to use a tall, microwave safe bowl since the caramel will boil up). Once the timer goes off, very carefully remove the bowl (the caramel and bowl will be super hot) and place onto a hot pad on your counter. 5. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and stir to combine. Make sure you're not using vanilla from the bottom of the bottle or it can crystallize into little specks in your caramel. This happened to me twice before I figured it out!6. Dip apples into hot caramel and then slowly turn the apple to fully coat it. Allow the excess to drip off and you can even use a butter knife to scrape the extra dripping off the bottom. Rock the stick up and down in the air for about 15 seconds before you place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. This will allow the caramel to start to evenly set before you place it on the sheet. 7. If you're dipping your apples in chopped nuts or candy, be sure to do this quickly, before the caramel starts to set. 8. If you're decorating with white or milk chocolate, or white chocolate with cinnamon and sugar, you can wait until caramel is all set before adding these toppings.9. Once the apples are dipped and decorated, I like to place mine on a square of parchment sheet or parchment cupcake liner, and wrap in cellophane to make them extra pretty. The apples are fine to sit out on the counter if you're making them a day ahead. 10. I can usually get 5-6 apples dipped with each batch. If you're wanting to make more apples or if you are hosting an apple dipping party, I would suggest making 3 separate batches and adding each to a small crockpot on warm. Stir occasionally. This has worked great for me!I would love to know if you try this recipe, please tag or message me @handmade.farmhouse on Instagram!
How can I take my caramel dipped apples to the next level?
- Add toppings like white chocolate with cinnamon and sugar, chopped, salted nuts, chocolate, crushed candy, or simply enjoy them as is, they are fantastic!
- Try setting your caramel apples on a pressed paper cupcake liner after they’re set. Then wrap with cellophane and tie with a ribbon! They’ll look so pretty and make a fun gift for someone you love.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
- Six-minute sea salted caramels
- Favorite pumpkin spice sheet cake
- Apple Cream Cheese Danish
- Apple Blossom Mini Pies
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These belong in a magazine Emily!!! So gorgeous for fall and they look delicious. I want to make some as gifts 💛
THESE LOOK BEAUTIFUL EMILY! I’M EXCITED TO TRY THEM WITH SOME FRESH APPLES A NEIGHBOR JUST BROUGHT BACK FOR ME FROM A TRIP TO MICHIGAN! I’LL BE “RE-GIFTING” THEM TO HER AS PRETTY CARAMEL APPLES. *WINK*
I haven’t made them yet but look forward to trying it!
I’m gonna try it really soon! Looks easy and delicious 😋