The Best Caramel Apples Recipes

PERFECT CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Mix 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Cook, swirling the pan (do not stir), until the mixture is light amber and a candy thermometer registers 320 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream, then 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Return to low heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool until the caramel is thick enough to coat a spoon. Insert sticks into the stem ends of 6 apples and dip the apples into the caramel, letting the excess drip off. Roll in toppings if desired, then let cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

THE BEST CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Dip apples in boiling water for a few seconds, then dry with paper towels to remove any wax from the peels. Set apples aside; when completely cool, insert a wooden chopstick firmly into the bottom of each apple for a handle.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Stir butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk together in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until a candy thermometer reads 248 degrees F (120 degrees C), 25 to 30 minutes; stir constantly to prevent burning. A teaspoon of the syrup, dropped in a glass of cold water, should form a firm ball. Remove caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
• Working quickly, dip each apple into the hot caramel to completely coat the apple and about 1/2 inch of the wooden handle. Sprinkle apples with any desired toppings while still hot. Let caramel apples cool on the parchment paper. Use caution, caramel is very hot.

ULTIMATE CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; grease the paper. Wash and thoroughly dry apples. Insert a wooden pop stick into each; place on prepared pan. Refrigerate 15 minutes., In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water; bring to a boil over medium heat, without stirring, until mixture turns amber. Remove from heat; stir in butter until melted. Gradually add cream, stirring constantly. Return to heat; cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 245°-250° (firm-ball stage). Remove from heat., Place 1/4 cup pistachios in a shallow dish. Dip apples into caramel mixture until completely coated; allow excess to drip off. Then dip the bottom of each apple in pistachios. Return to baking sheet; refrigerate 10-15 minutes., In a microwave, melt white chocolate; stir until smooth. Transfer to a small heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Drizzle over apples. Repeat with semisweet chocolate. If desired, sprinkle tops with remaining pistachios. Refrigerate until set.

CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or a piece of lightly greased parchment paper. Place the apples onto the prepared baking sheet, and press a treat stick firmly into the stem end, into the center of each apple.
• In a medium pot, combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/3 cup water. Stir the mixture with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble at the edges. Once it begins to bubble, stop stirring.
• Cook the mixture (without stirring) until it begins to turn a medium amber color, 10 to 12 minutes. When the desired caramel color is reached, stir in the salt, cream, vanilla and butter - the mixture will bubble up vigorously - stir until it's combined and smooth.
• Continue to cook the caramel over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reads 245 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, another 8 to 10 minutes. Leave the syrup mixture in the pot, and allow to cool to 200 degrees. (If the mixture cools too much, it can be reheated until fluid.)
• Working quickly, dip 3/4 of an apple into the caramel, tilting the pot as needed to coat. Hold the apple over the caramel, letting the excess drip off, then transfer to the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples, reheating the caramel as necessary. Cool completely before serving.

CLASSIC CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Insert sticks into tops of apples. Prepare an ice-water bath.
• Bring cream, sugar, corn syrup, and butter to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Clip a candy thermometer to pan, and continue to cook until mixture reaches 245 degrees, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Place pan in ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Dip bottom of each apple in caramel. Using a spoon, coat apple halfway to three-quarters of the way up sides. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes (or overnight).

EASY CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Remove stems and thoroughly wash and dry apples; insert pop sticks into tops. Line a baking sheet with parchment and grease the parchment; set aside., Place caramels and water in a small saucepan; cook and stir over medium-low heat 3-5 minutes or until smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Dip each apple in caramel mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Place on prepared pan. Refrigerate until set.