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These easy Caramel Apples will make anyone feel like a kid again. Starting with a homemade caramel sauce, these customizable, homemade Caramel Apple recipe will make you forget all about the store-bought kind.
Once apples are in season, Caramel Apples start popping up everywhere. But store-bought caramel apples can be a bit hard to bite and chew, so if you have the chance, try making them at home.
This caramel sauce is easy to make and soft to swirl on. The best part? You can easily customize your caramel apples with the toppings of your choice! It doesn’t have to be stale crushed nuts; you can choose something truly decadent. My favorite Caramel Apple topping is toasted coconut. It’s really something spectacular!
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Apples: I prefer apple varieties on the more tart side of the flavor spectrum, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, to balance the sweet caramel. But any variety you enjoy eating will work great, just as long as it’s cold when you dunk.
- Heavy cream, brown sugar, light corn syrup, and butter: Instead of unwrapping dozens of candy caramels, follow along to learn how to make your own gooey caramel sauce from scratch using these refrigerator and pantry staples. This easy homemade caramel is from the pastry curriculum at the culinary school I attended (and have sworn by ever since).
Step-by-step instructions
- To prepare the apples, thoroughly rinse the cold apples, and wipe well to remove the wax coating. Remove stem. Using a caramel apple stick, carefully push the stick into the apple, about ¾ of the way. Place apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a baking rack.
- To make the caramel, in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until butter is melted.
- Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush the sides of the pan and place a candy thermometer into the mixture, ensuring it does not touch the bottom of the pan. Without stirring, allow the mixture to cook until mixture reaches 235 degrees, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and gently stir in vanilla. Do not over-stir. Allow mixture to cool and thicken, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- To dip the apples, working one apple at a time, hold the apple by the stick, dip the apple into the caramel mixture, and thoroughly coat using a twirling motion.
- If using toppings, roll the apple into the topping. Set apple on prepared baking sheet with rack, ensuring the apples do not touch, Cool slightly and serve immediately, or allow to sit until caramel hardens, about 45 minutes. Enjoy day of for best results.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 8 dunked and delicious Caramel Apples.
- Storage: Caramel Apples are best enjoyed the day you make them. (For a fall dessert that lasts longer and can be made ahead, I recommend my Best Apple Pie or Apple Strudel.)
- Off the stick: For small hands and mouths, remove the stick and cut the cooled caramel apple into smaller pieces that are easier to enjoy.
- Try a toppings bar: Why limit yourself to one topping when you can choose from several? Set out shallow bowls or plates with piles of chopped nuts, rainbow-colored jimmies, toasted coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips or M&Ms, chopped candy bar pieces, graham cracker crumbs, flaky sea salt (to sprinkle, not dunk!), or your favorite sweet cereal.
- Finish the bushel: Have extra apples on hand? Make a bowl of Apple Walnut Salad, a warm Apple Walnut Cobbler, a batch of homemade Apple Pie Filling, or a slice of Apple Pie a la Mode. See more apple recipe ideas in The Best Apple Recipes for Your Orchard Haul.
More cures for caramel cravings
Fruit Dessert Recipes
Caramel Apple Dip
Cookie and Bar Recipes
Homemade Twix Bars
Appetizer Recipes
Caramel Corn
Fruit Dessert Recipes
Apple Walnut Cobbler
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Caramel Apples
This easy Caramel Apple recipe will make anyone feel like a kid again. Starting with a homemade caramel sauce, these customizable, homemade Caramel Apples will make you forget all about the store-bought kind.
Ingredients
- 8 apples cold (see note 1)
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups brown sugar packed
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup butter (½ stick)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Toppings such as toasted coconut, peanuts, or sprinkles
Instructions
- To prepare the apples, thoroughly rinse the cold apples, and wipe well to remove the wax coating. Remove stem. Using a caramel apple stick, carefully push the stick into the apple, about ¾ of the way. Place apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a baking rack.
- To make the caramel, in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until butter is melted.
- Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush the sides of the pan and place a candy thermometer into the mixture, ensuring it does not touch the bottom of the pan. Without stirring, allow the mixture to cook until mixture reaches 235 degrees, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and gently stir in vanilla. Do not over-stir. Allow mixture to cool and thicken, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- To dip the apples, working one apple at a time, hold the apple by the stick, dip the apple into the caramel mixture, and thoroughly coat using a twirling motion. If using toppings, roll the apple into the topping.
- Set apple on prepared baking sheet with rack, ensuring the apples do not touch, Cool slightly and serve immediately, or allow to sit until caramel hardens, about 45 minutes. Enjoy day of for best results.
Notes
- Apples: I prefer apple varieties on the more tart side of the flavor spectrum, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, to balance the sweet caramel. But any variety you enjoy eating will work great, just as long as it’s cold when you dunk.
- Heavy cream, brown sugar, light corn syrup, and butter: Instead of unwrapping dozens of candy caramels, follow along to learn how to make your own gooey caramel sauce from scratch using these refrigerator and pantry staples. This easy homemade caramel is from the pastry curriculum at the culinary school I attended (and have sworn by ever since).
- Yield: This recipe makes 8 dunked and delicious Caramel Apples.
- Storage: Caramel Apples are best enjoyed the day you make them. (For a fall dessert that lasts longer and can be made ahead, I recommend my Best Apple Pie or Apple Strudel.)
- Off the stick: For small hands and mouths, remove the stick and cut the cooled caramel apple into smaller pieces that are easier to enjoy.
- Try a toppings bar: Why limit yourself to one topping when you can choose from several? Set out shallow bowls or plates with piles of chopped nuts, rainbow-colored jimmies, toasted coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips or M&Ms, chopped candy bar pieces, graham cracker crumbs, flaky sea salt (to sprinkle, not dunk!), or your favorite sweet cereal.
Nutrition
Serving: 1appleCalories: 655kcalCarbohydrates: 113gProtein: 2gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 259mgPotassium: 309mgFiber: 4gSugar: 105gVitamin A: 1041IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 1mg
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Meggan Hill is the Executive Chef and CEO of Culinary Hill, a popular digital publication in the food space. She loves to combine her Midwestern food memories with her culinary school education to create her own delicious take on modern family fare. Millions of readers visit Culinary Hill each month for meticulously-tested recipes as well as skills and tricks for ingredient prep, cooking ahead, menu planning, and entertaining. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the iCUE Culinary Arts program at College of the Canyons.
