Okay all you caramel loving fans…you asked for a recipe for caramel apples to go along with the caramel dip I shared, so I found you one! I think it was meant to be. I had just published the caramel apple dip recipe {heaven} (and moved) when I got a knock at my front door and who was there? A friendly neighbor welcoming me into the neighborhood with nothing other than three of most delectible looking caramel apples I have ever seen! Now that you trust me about the caramel dip, you gotta believe me when I tell you…You NEED to make and try one of these!
Let me introduce you to my new neighbor, Nicole. (You are aware that by sharing this with you I will no longer receive little packages of goodness on my front door because all my neighbors will be scared I might do a howdoesshe on them…oh well, you will thank me!)
Hi I am Nicole. In our house our favorite childrens book is; The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Often when we read that book I find myself relating to the cute little caterpillar eating my way through life trying everything on my path. I LOVE TO EAT!!! So naturally that is what I named my recipe blog, theveryhungrycaterpillar.blogspot.com.
I come from a family obsessed with food. My dad is 100% Italian and so are his parents. (funny how that works, huh) . I look just like my grandmother did when she was younger and like no one else in our family. We have always held a special bond. She is a wonderful woman for many reasons, but she also makes the most delicious food I have ever tasted. So I want to carry her legacy of being the best cook in the family. I take every opportunity to get in the kitchen with her and learn her Italian ways. So here I am on my quest…To cook like my grandma and be the best cook in the family… well, I will settle for second best!
Five Fun Facts
1.I am slightly addicted to the color green… just ask my closet
2. I have red curly hair and since I was two I thought it was my life long destiny to play Annie on Broadway…only problem is I can’t carry a tune in a bucket
3. I talk on the phone for hours everyday to anyone who will listen- always have- probably always will.
4. I am way too cheap to pay retail price for anything. You’ll find me at garage sales most Saturday mornings.
5. I am an aspiring Popeye and eat at least 1 pound of raw spinach everyday.
Super Hero Power
I think I would love to read peoples minds and know their secrets and every little detail they are really thinking, but not telling me…..wait a minute… then I might realize somethings are better not said, like wow her butt looks huge in those jeans 🙂 Oh well, I guess I will go on being normal. sort of normal.
Years ago while visiting my cousin in Seattle she served us these apples from rocky mountain chocolate factory I could not get enough, but at $8 each and 3 times as much from stores like Williams and Sonoma and Harry and David that was too spendy for me. So what is a creative and frugal girl to do… make them myself!! I knew I could make them for much cheaper and be just as good, if not better because they were made with love .
I experimented and figured out it was easy to do, It does take some time, but if you don’t have it there are short cuts to take. Now they are a staple in our home very fall.
This week for family night we made these to share with new neighbors who just moved in to welcome them and wish them a happy fall.. This is a classic fall treat that everyone enjoys! I hope you do too.
Ingredients:
12 large, tart apples (You can use red apples but I like the contrast of the tart granny smith with the sweet caramel and chocolate)
Homemade caramel – or 2 bags Kraft caramels if you are short on time
2 bags white chocolate chips 1 T oil for thinning and it helps the chocolate set faster. ( I like a nicer brand like guittard, or white chocolate melting chocolate from a candy or baking supply store. Our Win-Co actually sells it is in bulk it is called white chocolate melty. it works great. I use about 1 and a half pounds.)
1/2 cup sugar mixed cinnamon to taste usually about 1-2 teaspoons
Popsicle/ craft sticks
Cellophane bags for wrapping
Ribbon for tying and decorating
Any cute tags to attach
Caramel Recipe
great for 2 dozen apples or dip some and save some yummy caramel for later
4 cups of sugar
1 can of evaporated milk
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of unsalted butter
1 tsp. of Vanilla
2 cups of light corn syrup
Instructions:
Melt butter. In a heavy saucepan combine sugar, syrup, and butter over medium heat.
While on medium heat, bring mixture to a rolling boil.
Slowly pour milk in as you stir.
It takes a while at this point. I thought it would never quite get to the right temperature, but just keep stirring. Slow and steady wins the race, do not raise your temperature.
The caramel will turn to a caramel color.
Cook to a firm ball stage (Drop a little of this syrup in cold water and it will form a firm ball, one that won’t flatten when you take it out of the water, but remains malleable and will flatten when squeezed.) or 240-245 degrees.
Once at firm ball stage, take off heat and add vanilla.
Stir constantly. Let it cool for five to ten minutes and then test an apple.
Tip1: have all these ingredients ready and pre measured so you do not burn caramel. It works best with a candy thermometer, nice ones are great, but a cheap one from the grocery store will do the job as well.
Tip2: once sugar has dissolved to syrup do not re introduce new sugar, it will crystallize. Keep the sides of your pan and utensils clean.
1. Wash and dry apples.
Keep apples cold, it works much better. I do an ice bath before then dry them off before dipping or just store in cold fridge beforehand
2. In a medium to large saucepan make caramel or melt caramel according to package directions
3. Put popsicle stick in the apple.
4. Dip in melted caramel making sure to fully coat it.
Let it drip drip drip then take a knife to scrape off the bottom so you do not have a large foot of caramel when dried.
5. Place on parchment or wax paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray heavily or a great non stick cookie sheet sprayed with oil or smeared butter.
6. Cool in the fridge until caramel is set up. 2-3 hours is best.
7. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals. You can add a little shortening or veg oil if the mixture is too thick.
8. Coat the apple with the chocolate.
Again drip drip drip and then scrape excess off.
9. Sprinkle it with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
10. Cool completely in the fridge.
11. Wrap up pretty and give them to unsuspecting neighbors, they will love you forever!
12. Save some for yourself and enjoy. You deserve it, you are fabulous, yes you are!!
Happy Fall!
Ingredients
- 12 large, tart apples (You can use red apples but I like the contrast of the tart granny smith with the sweet caramel and chocolate)
- Homemade caramel – or 2 bags Kraft caramels if you are short on time
- 2 bags white chocolate chips 1 T oil for thinning and it helps the chocolate set faster. ( I like a nicer brand like guittard, or white chocolate melting chocolate from a candy or baking supply store. Our Win-Co actually sells it is in bulk it is called white chocolate melty. it works great. I use about 1 and a half pounds.)
- 1/2 cup sugar mixed cinnamon to taste usually about 1-2 teaspoons
- Popsicle/ craft sticks
- Cellophane bags for wrapping
- Ribbon for tying and decorating
- Any cute tags to attach
Instructions
- Melt butter. In a heavy saucepan combine sugar, syrup, and butter over medium heat.
- While on medium heat, bring mixture to a rolling boil.
- Slowly pour milk in as you stir.
- It takes a while at this point. I thought it would never quite get to the right temperature, but just keep stirring. Slow and steady wins the race, do not raise your temperature.
- Cook to a firm ball stage (Drop a little of this syrup in cold water and it will form a firm ball, one that won’t flatten when you take it out of the water, but remains malleable and will flatten when squeezed.) or 240-245 degrees.
- Once at firm ball stage, take off heat and add vanilla.
- Stir constantly. Let it cool for five to ten minutes and then test an apple.
- Tip1: have all these ingredients ready and pre measured so you do not burn caramel. It works best with a candy thermometer, nice ones are great, but a cheap one from the grocery store will do the job as well.
- Tip2: once sugar has dissolved to syrup do not re introduce new sugar, it will crystallize. Keep the sides of your pan and utensils clean.
- Wash and dry apples.
- Keep apples cold, it works much better. I do an ice bath before then dry them off before dipping or just store in cold fridge beforehand
- In a medium to large saucepan make caramel or melt caramel according to package directions
- Put popsicle stick in the apple.
- Dip in melted caramel making sure to fully coat it.
- Let it drip drip drip then take a knife to scrape off the bottom so you do not have a large foot of caramel when dried.
- Place on parchment or wax paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray heavily or a great non stick cookie sheet sprayed with oil or smeared butter.
- Cool in the fridge until caramel is set up. 2-3 hours is best.
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals. You can add a little shortening or veg oil if the mixture is too thick.
- Coat the apple with the chocolate.
- Again drip drip drip and then scrape excess off.
- Sprinkle it with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Cool completely in the fridge.
- Wrap up pretty and give them to unsuspecting neighbors, they will love you forever!
Thanks Nicole for answering the question, “How Does She make the most incredible caramel apples thought previously to only be available in heaven?”
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House says
Love Love LOVE this idea, Missy! I can’t wait to hand these out….and eat some myself! 🙂
.-= Amanda@The Hand Me Down House´s last blog ..Historic Places from our Road Trip =-.
Lisa says
Oh Yum! I am definately going to have to try these!
Brittney says
SO gonna make me a batch of these!! I love carmel apples and to make your own carmel is fantastic!! Thanks SO much for sharing!!
.-= Brittney´s last blog ..Pictures of what I’ve been working on =-.
Brittney says
I made these for my girls teachers for Halloween and I got rave reviews! They LOVED them and were SO happy to have them as their own treat on Halloween! Thanks SO much for sharing!! If you’d like to see them go to http://thethingsimake.blogspot.com/2010/10/carmel-apples.html and see them!! Thanks again!
Brittney
.-= Brittney´s last blog ..Crocheted hat =-.
Celeste says
This is awesome! I am totally addicted to Rocky Mountain carameled apples too! I have been craving one and bought all the stuff to make them but have not been able to find a recipe I thought measured up. Thanks so much! You guys rock! 🙂
Nesleirbag says
Simple ingredients – fabulous results! I think this is an instance when you really cannot “gild the lily” too much! Instead of white chocolate, you could use milk or dark – instead of cinnamon sugar, nuts or toffee bits, etc.
What a great post! Nicole is adorable and looks and sounds like she would be a wonderful person to know!
Monica says
Wow, these look amazing!!! yum! Thanks for sharing!! What a great neighbor! =)
.-= Monica´s last blog ..Play With Your Makeup for Halloween! =-.
nicole says
Thanks Missy for sharing my apples with everyone. I think you did a fantastic job making the apples look as good as they taste. I hope your readers enjoy making them as much as I do.
Nicole
http://theveryhungrycaterpillar.blogspot.com/
.-= nicole´s last blog ..Apples dipped in Heaven =-.
The Real Person!
Missy, you made these?! And didn’t bring me one?! Shame on you. 😉 –I guess I’ll have to MAKE THEM MYSELF. Thanks for the recipe Nicole! 🙂
The Real Person!
Shelley,
I wish I could claim these. I just took pictures and watched the master in action. It didn’t look too hard, though – you really should make some. Em came over while I was eating mine so I gave her a (very small) bite, now she is having dreams about it. They are that good.
linda says
These look great. Nicole is darling, her food blog looks good too I just joined to follow it too. Thanks for sharing her and her apples!
stacy says
I love caramel apples and have always wanted to figure out how to make them myself. Know I can! Hurray!!! Thank you for the step by step instructions. I am excited to try this recipe~
Mindy says
These look amazing! I remember seeing them at your house and wanting them. I guess I’ll just have to make my own.
Rina says
These were so yummy! She is very good at cooking!
pennymck says
Mmmmmm!!! Gotta try them this weekend! It will be MY halloween treat.
Kaela says
Mmm, love it. I just made that caramel dip again today, now I have something else to make.
Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} says
Caramel apples are my absolute favorite and I agree, they are too expensive to buy at the gourmet candy shops. I prefer homemade 🙂 Great looking apple!!!
.-= Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com}´s last blog ..little ghost cupcake =-.
jem@freshapples says
Wow..I love apples. Thanks, I’ll start working on this recipes. yummmy
.-= jem@freshapples´s last blog ..Anjolee Adds Features to Website that Revolutionizes the Way Consumers Order Diamond Jewelry Online =-.
Tami Higbee says
Wow! Yummy! Any way to get a printable copy of that?
.-= Tami Higbee´s last blog ..And yet another =-.
Nicole says
HI Tami, I just saw your comment. I have a printer friendly recipe here
https://sites.google.com/site/nicolescaterpillar/gourmet-white-chocolate-cinnamon-caramel-apples?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Apples dipped in Heaven =-.
Brandi @ Tweedle Dee Designs says
These look delicious and so much fun!
.-= Brandi @ Tweedle Dee Designs´s last blog ..Cupcake ♥ Love Chocolate Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Cupcakes =-.
Emily says
These apples look delicious! Can’t wait to make them. Thanks Nicole for sharing your recipe!
Lauren says
I made these this weekend and they were FABULOUS!!! This is my new favorite candied apple recipe… I hope to make it every fall. I was so proud of myself for even making the caramel from scratch which I think makes the apples taste even better!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Project 2 – Family Room =-.
Celeste says
I just made these! Mmm Good! So amazing!
allison says
Yum!! these look so good cant wait to make them!! I went to the hungry caterpillar blog and I love your recipes!! I cant wait to try more of those too! Also how do you do your hair like that its super cute?!! Thanks!
Anna says
I made these for my friend’s daughter’s birthday and all the kids loved them. I took a few to work and they got devoured there too. The last one I took to my sister’s house and we split it with her friend as an after dinner treat. yummy! Thank you so much for sharing this super easy and fantastic recipe.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Halloween Cupcake Contest and Tiramisu Cupcakes =-.
Betty Bake says
oh my – that look sooo delicious!!!
.-= Betty Bake´s last blog ..Things that make me smile =-.
Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff says
Ummm Yes, please….
Those look soooo sinfully good!
.-= Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff´s last blog ..FREE PRINTABLE Fall Baked Goods From The Kitchen Of Labels =-.
Sherry says
Making my first caramel apples today using your recipe. These sounds so scrumptious — can hardly stand the wait. I’m not a big taffy apple gal but this recipe has changed me ‘tude. Thanks for posting!
Linda says
Oh I love these. Great post. That recipe blog the very hungry caterpillar too. Thanks for sharing
ingrid says
Looks good and I bet tastes even better. I made apple pie caramel apples this year and the kids loved them. I only wish my caramel stuck to the apples better. Its a little similar to the one I used but I’m going to try yours next time.
~ingrid
.-= ingrid´s last blog ..Flourless Chocolate Cake With Spiced Cranberry Sauce =-.
Holli says
I made these apples today…and my white chocolate cracked as soon as they started drying. It stays on, but the white chocolate on each apple has one crack down the side. What did I do wrong?? Thanks for the yummy recipe! I know they’ll still be delicious…but not as pretty, especially as a gift!
Kasey B says
I made these today and I’m pretty new to the kitchen, my white chocolate slid down the sides of all of the apples. What did I do wrong? Mine look nothing like the picture. lol Live and learn. Thanks for the recipe I’ll keep at it!
Jaime Jenkins says
What did you use to wrap the apples to give away?
The Real Person!
She used some cellophane bags
Andrea says
I know this post is 2 years old, but thanks to Pinterest I would like to try it, but your instructions are incomplete. You list sweetened condensed milk as an ingredient, but never mention it in the instructions. So do you add it with the sugars or the milk? Please reply. Thanks!
The Real Person!
Add the sweetened milk at the same time as the canned milk
Pam says
Can this be put in the crock pot after made for a “make your own” apple party? If so, any tips?
Micheline says
Just by it being around I notice desire likes
chocolates by you eating becoming well. They even went as much as to dye one end
red to imply a cigarette ember. They have begun to use rennet, an enzyme within stomachs of latest born calves within their
products.