Making caramel apples is easy and fun! Here’s a simple guide to help you create these delicious treats at home:

Ingredients:

  • 6–8 small apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work well)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120ml) light corn syrup
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Optional toppings: Chopped nuts, sprinkles, crushed cookies, chocolate drizzle

Equipment:

  • Wooden sticks or skewers
  • Candy thermometer
  • Parchment paper or silicone mat
  • Medium saucepan

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Apples:

  • Wash the apples well to remove wax and let them dry completely. Wax can prevent the caramel from sticking.
  • Insert a wooden stick firmly into the center of each apple (through the stem side).
  • Line a tray with parchment paper and lightly grease it with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

2. Make the Caramel:

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, and heavy cream.
  2. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves, and then stop stirring.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil. Attach the candy thermometer and cook the caramel until it reaches 240°F (116°C) (soft-ball stage).
  4. Once at temperature, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

3. Dip the Apples:

  • Let the caramel cool slightly (2–3 minutes) to thicken.
  • Tilt the saucepan and dip each apple into the caramel, swirling to coat evenly. Let excess caramel drip off.
  • Place the coated apples on the prepared tray.

4. Optional: Add Toppings:

  • Before the caramel sets, roll the apples in toppings like nuts or sprinkles, or drizzle melted chocolate over them.

5. Let Set:

  • Allow the caramel apples to cool and set for about 30 minutes at room temperature.

Enjoy your delicious homemade caramel apples! 🍏🍬 You can wrap them in cellophane for gifts or store them in the fridge to keep them fresh for a couple of days.

Image from Wikipedia