Caramel Apples are perfect for a fall football party, Thanksgiving, and even Halloween. These caramel apple recipes are easy to do and with a little supervision the kids could even help you make them. Because these recipes involve hot ingredients, you might find that you should make the caramel apple recipe and let the kids add the toppings.
To package up these caramel apples and gift them as a gift let them cool and dry completely. Place one caramel apple in a cup cake wrapper. Place both the caramel apple and wrapper in a clear plastic bag, like the ones used for wedding favors. Tie them shut with appropriate ribbons. Halloween ribbon would make this perfect for Halloween party. Gold, green and orange ribbon would be perfect for Thanksgiving. For a special treat add on a hand cut nametag so your guest knows which caramel apple is theirs.
Here are two recipes for caramel apples. One is quick and simple; the other is a caramel apple made from scratch.
Easy and Quick Caramel Apple Recipe
This recipe is super simple. You can have the kids open all of the candy caramels and this will speed things up.
6 apples
Popsicle sticks
1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons whole milk
Start this caramel apple recipe by removing the stem from each apple. The kids can easily help here as well. Have them push a Popsicle stick into the top of each apple. Lay a piece of wax paper out on a baking sheet. Spray the wax paper with Pm or rub with butter.
Next, put the caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir the caramels and continue to reheat until soft and smooth. Now for the fun part: dip and roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. Place on the prepared sheet of wax paper to let the caramel set.
Add you own touches to this easy caramel apple recipe by rolling your freshly dipped apples in nuts, chocolate, and candy.
Homemade Caramel Apple Recipe
8 small apples
2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
This caramel apple recipe is a little more involved, but also very easy. The first step is the same as before: Remove the stems from the apples. Insert a Popsicle stick into the apple. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper as before, spray with Pam, and set aside.
Put the sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, and cream in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook. Try to swirl the pan but not stir the mixture. Do this until the mixture reaches 250 degrees F (firm ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
Now, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter. Now for the fun part, dip and cover each apple into the caramel. Cover as much if the apple as possible. Place your freshly dipped apples on the baking sheet to cool and harden.
For a gourmet caramel apple recipe dip you apple in milk chocolate after you have dipped it in caramel. Set it on wax paper. Use melted white chocolate to drizzle over for a more professional look. Dip a spoon in the white chocolate and swing it back and forth over the chocolate dipped caramel apple.
For an even more decadent touch you could roll the milk chocolate dipped caramel apple in crush nuts. Then dip it in dark chocolate. Set the apple out on wax paper and then drizzle with the white chocolate.
Other great additions to this caramel apple recipe besides crushed nuts include M&M;’s, Mini chocolate chips, dried fruits, and even crush Oreos or graham crackers.
