I LOVE Fall especially the treats...so we made some homemade caramel apples the other night...
Dipped in white chocolate and regular chocolate. Sprinkled with nuts, orange sprinkles and my ABSOLUTE favorite cinnamon sugar!! Other toppings M&M's, crushed Oreo's, chopped candy bars, coconut, marshmallows & nuts (Rocky Road style), toffee, etc.
Our family creations...mmmm!!
I learned this year that GREEN APPLES work the BEST and the tart with the sweet makes them even better!!!!
Easiest Caramel --
32 caramels unwrapped
5 Tbl. evaporated milk
Melt caramels and milk in saucepan on low. Cool slightly and dip apples.
Easy Caramel --
1 lb. butter
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
Cook on medium heat stirring continually, to the hard ball stage with your candy therm. (about 4-5 min). Cool slightly and dip apples.
Creamy Caramel --
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar (white)
1 cup Karo syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Cook first 3 ing. over medium heat to softball stage stirring constantly. Then add can milk and cook to hard ball stage. Pour into buttered dish and cool until ready to use. Do Not put in fridge.
TIPS that I learned --
Place wax paper on cookie sheet, wash & dry Granny Smith apples, and put sticks in them. Roll apples in caramel, wipe bottom quarter and excess with a butter knife, set on cookie sheet. Repeat. Once cookie sheet is full, put in fridge to cool completely before dipping in chocolate/decorating them. Or you can even make them the night before. Roll them in chocolate that is not too hot, then sprinkle immediately in desired toppings. Set back on wax paper and refridgerate. After cooled cut into wedges from the stem (like a pie) and ENJOY!!
AND here is a recipe I found today...
Honey Caramel Apples --
Recipe by Our Best Bites, inspired by Everyday Magazine
4 large (or 6 small) crisp apples, chilled in the fridge for at least 1 hour
1 Cup honey
1 Cup heavy cream
1 pinch salt (about 1/4 teaspoon)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
In a heavy sauce pan over medium heat, combine cream, honey, and salt. Once warmed and whisked together, bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to a simmer (it should still be bubbling, but not so hot that is splatters all over). Stir and scrape sides of pot down occasionally until a candy thermometer (you should all have one by now--they cost about 3 bucks!) reaches 260 degrees.
To reach 260 degrees can take about 30 minutes, so while your caramel is cooking prepare your apples. Wash and dry them and skewer them with a popsicle stick or bamboo skewer. Place in the fridge to continue chilling until ready to use. Also line a baking sheet or cutting board with waxed paper or parchment paper and set aside.
When caramel has reached 260 degrees, remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should start thickening. You'll have to eyeball the consistency for dipping. If you'd like to help it along you can place your pot in a bowl of ice. And if it gets too hard to coat the apples, just return it to the heat until it's thin again.
Remove apples from fridge and dry them thoroughly with a towel. Dip in caramel, rolling and twirling each one so it gets well coated. Let excess drip off and then place on prepared sheet. Refrigerate for 10-20 minutes to set the caramel and then enjoy!
