How to make Caramel Dipped Apples

Caramel apples are a fun treat and each one can be made differently. have an afternoon of fun!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 lb dark brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 2/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp dark molasses
• 12 chopsticks or popsicle sticks
• 12 medium Granny Smith Apples
• assorted decorations; chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit, toffee bits, mini m&m's, candy sprinckles or choppewd chocolate.

1. Combine the first 8 ingredients in a heavy 2-1/2 quart pan. Stir with a wooden spoon over medium low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Occasionally brush down sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush. This should take about 15 minutes.

2. Place candy thermometer into the pan. Increase the heat to medium high and cook caramel at a rolling boil until temperature reaches 236 degrees farenheit. Stir constantly but slowly with a clean wooden spoon. Brush down the sides with a wet pastry brush. Should take about 12 minutes.

3. Pour caramel into a metal bowl (no scrapping the bowl). Keep thermometer in the caramel. Cool without stirring until it reaches 200 degrees farenheit.

4. While caramel cools, line 2 baking sheets with foil. Butter the foil. Push 1 chopstick or popsicle stick into the stem of each apple. Set up decorations and melted chocolate.

5. Holding by the stick, sip 1 apple into the cooled caramel. Submerging all but the very top of the apple. Lift apple out and let excess caramel drip off. Turn caramel side up and let cool for a moment. Place the coated apple on the foil. Repeat with the remaining apples. Space the apples apart. If the caramel becomes to thick to dip and 1 or 2 TBS whipping cream and briefly whisk the caramel in a bowl over low heat to thin.

6. Chill apples on the sheets until the caramel is partially set, about 15 min. Lift 1 apple and press the pooled caramel around the apple. Repeat with remaining apples.

7. Firmly press decorations onto the caramel. return each apple to the foil. Or you can dip the caramel-coated apples into the melted chocolate, allow excess chocolate to drip off and roll in candy, nuts or fruit. Additionally you can drizzle the chocolate onto the apples.

[tracysmith159]

on 10/3/2009 This is the only way my kids will eat apples. Now I can save money and make it myself. Thanks