Party Caramel Apples

Name: Party Caramel Apples
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 caramel apples.
Ingredients: 8 medium Red Delicious apples; 8 Popsicle sticks; 2-1/4 cups packed brown sugar; 3/4 cup butter, cubed; 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk; 3/4 cup dark corn syrup; 1/2 cup maple syrup; 1-1/2 teaspoons molasses; Dash salt; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Chopped salted peanuts and red-hot candies; 4 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped; 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

I like to decorate my caramel apples with red-hot candies, mini M&M's, jimmies and other small candies. You can really have fun with these. — Natalie Bremson, Plantation, Florida

Ingredients

8 medium Red Delicious apples
8 Popsicle sticks
2-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup maple syrup
1-1/2 teaspoons molasses
Dash salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chopped salted peanuts and red-hot candies
4 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

Wash and dry apples; remove stems. Insert Popsicle sticks into bottoms of apples. Place on a buttered baking sheet; refrigerate until ready to use.
In a large heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, milk, corn syrup, maple syrup, molasses and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reads 248° (firm-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.
Dip apples, one at a time, into caramel and then into an ice-water bath for 1-2 seconds to set caramel. Dip apples in peanuts; place on the buttered baking sheet. Press red-hot candies onto apples as desired.
In a microwave, melt white chocolate; stir until smooth. Transfer to a small resealable plastic bag; cut a hole in a corner of the bag. Drizzle over apples. Repeat with semisweet chocolate. Decorate with additional nuts and candies as desired. Let stand until set.

Editor's Note

We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 911 calories, 31g fat (19g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 293mg sodium, 161g carbohydrate (137g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein.

Originally published as Party Caramel Apples in Taste of Home October/November 2010

Reviews

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Average Rating:

VictoriaElaine

Jan 6, 2014

This is the best caramel apple recipe ever! Store bought caramel does not even begin to complete with the rich, creamy caramel this recipe makes. I live at a high altitude, so I tested the boiling point of my thermometer & then adjusted the recipe accordingly. Worked perfect! I'll be making these every fall for sure.
odensesol

Nov 8, 2013

This recipe worked great and was also delicious drizzled over pretzels. I will use it again.
kelcassell

Nov 2, 2011

I don't give a lot of 5 star reviews, but these were perfect! Not too hard, not so soft that they slid off the apple. My only change to the recipe, is that I do not like Red Delicious for caramel apples - they are too sweet and get mushy. I prefer a slightly more tart, firm apple. I used a Fuji (which was fine), but I think that a Jonagold, Pippin or Pink Lady would probably be even better. The quality of the apple counts!! Otherwise, excellent recipe! I also only use either Ghirardelli chocolate, or in a pinch I'll grab a Belgian (Kroger has their own Belgian brand that's pretty decent) or Hershey's. Thanks for the recipe...it's a keeper!
MarcyLee

Nov 1, 2010

These are the best caramel apples ever. Really. Ever. The caramel is just slightly chewy, not too hard and not too soft. It sticks to the apple when cooled slightly before dipping apples, then dip in an ice water bath and refrigerate immediately. After caramel was set we added the drizzled chocolate and dipped in toffee bits. And it tastes Heavenly. I will make these again next year for sure.