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    Home » Dessert

    Published: Sep 30, 2023 by Desarae

    Homemade Caramel Apples

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These are quite literally THE BEST homemade caramel apples because they are made with HOMEMADE caramel. Crispy tart apples, buttery gooey caramel and crunchy chocolate candy bits. These are also easy caramel apples and I'm going to show you step-by-step how to make this caramel apples recipe.

    Green apple on a stick being dipped into a cup of overflowing warm sticky caramel.

    Although you can make homemade caramel apples all year round, typically they are a traditional fall food! (and fair food ha ha) If you are looking for some more delicious fall apple food you must try this apple cake or this Starbucks caramel apple spice drink. 

    Why This Caramel Apples Recipe Works

    It's literally the best because 

    • No two ingredients were made better for each other apple + caramel
    • While many caramel recipes can be daunting this one is easy!!
    • You probably have most ingredients in your pantry right now.
    • It's a fun, gluten free recipe that kids and adults like.

    What do I need to make Homemade Caramel Apples

    Tray on bowls with ingredients for caramel apple in them.
    • Apples: You want to use firm crispy apples. Green Granny Smith apples are very popular because their tart crispiness pair perfectly with the gooey sweetness of homemade caramel. However, you can also use firm red apples too that you love- like Gala, fuji or another variety you love.
    • Sweetened condensed milk- I like sweetened condensed milk because of its flavor. It's also much more stable to cook with than heavy cream. you can find this in the baking isle of your store. It's a small can.
    • Pantry items- sugar
    • Butter- Adds the best flavor!
    • Salt- Especially if you want these to have a "salted caramel" flavor
    • Light Corn Syrup- Corn syrup is liquid sugar made from corn. Corn Syrup help makes the consistency nice and sticky to it adheres to the slippery apple skin. It is a necessary ingredient for making most candy.
    • Lollipop Sticks- I've found these are the best for handles. You can also use a small popsicle stick.

    How To Make Homemade Caramel Apples

    In a few simple steps I'm going to show you how to prepare apples, make the caramel and store apples. 

    Prepare Apples to become Caramel Apples

    Many apples have a waxy film over them that make it hard for the caramel to adhere to their skin. Wash them throughly! I've also found that if you CHILL THE APPLES before dipping it helps the caramel adhere. 

    PRO-TIP when sticking the apples:

    1. Set apples on their base on their own, so they are not tipping over. It's ok it they are naturally a little lopsided- as long as they are sitting flat and not tipping over!!
    2. Push the stick down the center of the apple so the stick is straight- again, its ok if the apple looks uneven (its nature!) the important thing is that the apple can sit flat without tipping over.

    How To Make Easy Homemade Caramel for Caramel Apples

    Now that your apples are ready lets prep for the homemade caramel. I love this homemade caramel recipe not only because of its flavor but also because it is EASY!

    Four photos showing ingredients added to a pan and cooked until a golden caramel is being stirred.
    1. Place all your ingredients in a heavy bottom pan. You do NOT want a really thin pan. You will need a good heavy pan for homemade caramel.
    2. On medium heat continually stir caramel until it boils and reaches 240 degrees.
    3. If you are in need of a thermometer invest in this Thermoworks one. It does everything! including candy, meat, baking etc. If you don't have one then you MUST use a CANDY THERMOMETER. Once you insert the thermometer you cannot take it out, unless you clean it. Don't let it touch the bottom of the pan or you will get an inaccurate reading.
    4. If your caramel is getting to hot you may start to see small dark brown flecks, remove from heat, still stirring and let the caramel cool for about 30 seconds. Return to stovetop and lower the temp.
    5. Use a wood or silicone spatula- one that can withstand high heat without heating up. Never take this spatula out of the caramel if you do clean it off before inserting back in.
    Caramel in a large glass

    How to Dip Caramel Apples

    I have a few pro tips to make your apple dipping a success! 

    Green apple on a stick being dipped into a large glass of caramel.
    1. Prepare a cookie sheet with linked parchment paper.
    2. Take one chilled apple and swirl it around in the caramel so it comes up close to the stick.
    3. Lift apple out of caramel and continue to spin apple until it stops dripping.
    4. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets. I like to place the apples immediately in the freezer to slow any further dripping/caramel sliding down the apple.
    Many caramel apples on a cookie sheet resting.

    Now Dress Up Your Caramel Apples!

    If you want to add candy to your caramel apple do that immediately after dipping while the caramel is still soft. 

    For Halloween apples use a little black food coloring + candy corn for festive treats. Or try using this black licorice recipe for caramels- its amazing!

    Can I Use a Slow Cooker To Warm My Caramel? 

    Preheat your slow cooker while you are making your caramel. Make your caramel on the stove top and transfer to your slow cooker. Keep your caramel in the crock-pot on the low setting. Stir caramel every 10-15 minutes to keep butter from separating. 

    How to Store Caramel Apples

    If you are not eating caramel apples immediately you will want to store your apples in a ziplock back in the fridge. This will slow down your apple going bad, and keep it nice and crisp along with the other flavors. 

    One caramel apple on a stack of plate with caramel apple slices around.

    If you love Fall Try these Recipes

    • A stack of protein pancakes on plates with berries on top.
      Fluffy Protein Powder Pancakes
    • Snickerdoodle cookies stacked on some parchment and one to the side is missing a bite.
      Easy Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
    • A bowl of enchilada soup with limes, avocado, chips, and cilantro for garnish.
      Cheesy & Zesty Enchilada Soup
    • One cup with a straw and lime garnish filled to the top with a frozen mojito mocktail.
      Frozen Mojito Mocktail

    GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK!

    If you tried this Caramel Apples Recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to!

    One Caramel apple with a

    Homemade Caramel Apples

    ​Crispy tart apples, buttery gooey caramel and crunchy chocolate candy bits.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 12 apples
    Calories: 385kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • Candy Thermometer
    • Wax or Parchment paper
    • 14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • 2 cups Sugar
    • 1 cup Butter
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 ½ cup White Karo Syrup
    • washed and dried crispy apples (12 small or 8 large)
    • favorite candy crushed- optional
    • cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and in fridge ready for apples

    Instructions

    • Prepare apples (wash, dry and sticks pushed in). Crush candy before hand. Get a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and placed in the fridge.
    • Combine sugar, milk, butter, salt syrup in heavy pan.
    • Cook on medium heat and stir constantly. (CONSTANTLY) until it reaches 240-245 degrees.
    • Remove from stove-top.
    • Take apples and slowly dip apples in caramel in circular motion. Allow extra caramel to drip off. Dip into candies and place in fridge for a quick cool down.

    TIPS:

    • Make sure you stir caramel with either a wooden spoon or a spatula that can stand high temps (silicone).
    • Try not to splash on the sides because when you are stirring. DON'T SCRAPE the sides back into the caramel. Scrape only the bottom of the pan. If you bring the sugar crystals from the sides of the pan back into your candy it will 'sugar' and become crunchy and hardened in areas instead of smooth when it is all done.
    • Put your candy thermometer into the candy after it has boiled for a bit and started to change colors don't drag it around because scraping the metal to metal together can also sugar your candy. ALSO once you put the thermometer in you have to keep it in until it is done, don't take it out and put it back in unless you clean it.
    • - As an added measure double check your caramels by using the ice water method. Drop a bit of caramel in ice water, dump water out and test the texture of your caramel. If it doesn't form a soft ball the caramel needs to cook longer. If it is firm remove immediately from heat. If it is rock hard it is overcooked for the soft caramel method.
    • Keep the heat on a medium heat and if you start seeing little brown specks in your candy take it off the heat immediately and turn it down. That is the candy scorching. Otherwise cook until the candy has reached desired temperature or texture.

    Video

    [adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="ENWtpzwJ" upload-date="2023-09-30T14:55:18.000Z" name="Caramel Apples Recipe" description="Buttery delicious homemade caramel apple recipe" player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

    Notes

    Chill apples before dipping, and chill after to help the caramel adhere to apples. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 258mg | Potassium: 4mg | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Calcium: 10mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

    SaveSave

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sami Turner says

      October 07, 2023 at 9:52 pm

      What is the best way to clean the apples to get the film off?

      Reply
      • Kadee says

        October 09, 2023 at 12:17 pm

        A thorough wash usually does the trick, or you can dip them in boiling water for just a few seconds.

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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