Caramel apples are a classic and festive dessert that can satisfy your sweet tooth and bring back childhood memories. They are also surprisingly easy to make at home, with just a few ingredients and some simple steps. In this article, Trendbbq will show you how to make caramel apples that are crunchy, gooey, and irresistible.
1. What You Need to Make Caramel Apples
To make caramel apples, you will need the following ingredients and tools:
- Apples: Choose firm and crisp apples that are not too ripe or too sour. You can use any variety of apples that you like, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji. You will need about 8 to 10 medium-sized apples for this recipe.
- Caramel: You can either make your own caramel from scratch or use store-bought caramel candies or bits. If you make your own caramel, you will need sugar, water, corn syrup, butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. If you use store-bought caramel, you will need about 14 ounces of unwrapped caramel candies or bits and 2 tablespoons of water.
- Sticks: You can use wooden popsicle sticks, skewers, or chopsticks to insert into the apples. Make sure they are sturdy enough to hold the weight of the apples and the caramel.
- Toppings: You can add some extra crunch and flavor to your caramel apples by dipping them in various toppings, such as chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, shredded coconut, crushed cookies, or candy pieces. You can also drizzle some melted chocolate or peanut butter over the caramel for a more decadent treat.
- Tools: You will need a large pot to melt the caramel, a candy thermometer to measure the temperature of the caramel, a baking sheet to place the coated apples, parchment paper or wax paper to line the baking sheet, and a spatula or spoon to stir the caramel.
2. How to Prepare the Apples
Before you start making the caramel, you need to prepare the apples by following these steps:
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Take off any stickers or labels from the surface.
- Remove the stems from the apples and insert a stick into each apple through the stem end. Push the stick about halfway through the apple.
- Place the apples on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Chill them until they become cold and solid.
3. How to make caramel apples from Scratch
If you want to make your own caramel from scratch, you need to follow these steps:
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of water, and 1/4 cup of light corn syrup. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Cook until the mixture turns amber in color and reaches 245°F on a candy thermometer. This could require approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and carefully stir in 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Be careful as the mixture will bubble up vigorously.
- Return the pot to low heat and stir until smooth and well combined.
4. How to Melt Store-Bought Caramel
If you want to use store-bought caramel candies or bits, you need to follow these steps:
- In a large pot over low heat, combine 14 ounces of unwrapped caramel candies or bits and 2 tablespoons of water.
- Stir constantly until the caramels are melted and smooth.
5. How to Coat the Apples with Caramel
Once you have your caramel ready, you need to coat the apples with it by following these steps:
- Remove the apples from the refrigerator and dip them one by one into the hot caramel. Tilt the pot as needed to cover most of the apple with caramel.
- Let any excess caramel drip off and scrape off any excess caramel from the bottom of the apple with a spatula or spoon.
- If desired, dip or roll the apple in any toppings of your choice while the caramel is still warm and sticky.
- Place the coated apple back on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining apples.
- Refrigerate the caramel apples until they are set and firm.
6. How to Store and Serve Caramel Apples
You can store your caramel apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To serve them, let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften the caramel slightly. You can also cut them into wedges and serve them with toothpicks for easier eating.
Making caramel apples is a fun and easy activity that you can enjoy with your family and friends. You can customize your caramel apples with different flavors and toppings to suit your taste and occasion. Caramel apples are a delicious and festive treat that can make any day special. Try making them today and see for yourself!
7. FAQs
7.1. What ingredients do I need to make caramel apples?
To make caramel apples, you’ll need apples, caramel candies, heavy cream, and optional toppings like chopped nuts, chocolate, or sprinkles.
7.2. Can I use any type of apple for caramel apples?
Yes, you can use various apple types, but crisp and slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Fuji work best as they provide a nice contrast to the sweet caramel.
7.3. How do I prepare the apples for caramel coating?
Wash and dry the apples thoroughly, remove the stems, and insert wooden sticks into the top. This will give you a handle to hold while dipping in the caramel.
7.4. What’s the best way to melt caramel for dipping?
Place the unwrapped caramel candies and a couple of tablespoons of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short intervals, stirring in between until the caramel is smooth. You can also use a double boiler on the stovetop.
7.5. How long does it take for the caramel on the apples to set?
Caramel usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour to set. You can speed up the process by placing the caramel apples in the refrigerator.
