How to Make Caramel Apples for Wedding Favors

Carmel Apples can be easily personalized

Wedding favors are an important feature at any wedding. They can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose. There is simply nothing more beautiful then something handmade. Handmade wedding favors are more popular now then ever. Wedding budgets are getting harder and harder to stick to. Handmade wedding favors add a special touch as well as help to cut corners on your budget.

Things You'll Need

• Apples Red or Green
• Carmel for apples :14oz yields 4-6 small apples
• Chocolate
• White Chocolate
• Ribbon
• Decorations sprinkles-edible glitter
• Candy sticks
• Favor Containers / cellophane bags for completed apples
• Wax paper
• Cookie sheets

Instructions

1. 

   Gather all needed materials. You will need 1 apple per guest. You will need to decide how elaborate you want your caramel apple wedding favors to be. Keep in mind sometimes less is more. To personalize the caramel apples you can do so by ordering personalized wedding favor ribbon from a wedding decoration supplier. Personalized ribbon should contain couples names and date of wedding. Once you have all of your items you are ready to begin.

2. 

   Preparing apples. Apples should be washed and the stems removed. Dry apples and set aside. If you are doing this alone do a small batch at a time so you give yourself an opportunity to stop when needed. Each apple should now have a stick inserted where them stem used to be. Make sure you insert the sharp end of the stick into the apple. Place apples aside on cookie sheet that is covered with wax paper.

3. 

   Heat caramel for apples. Follow directions on packaging. Be sure to heat in bowl or pan that is deep enough to cover entire apple. If you are heating caramel on the stove be sure to watch very closely. You do not want it to burn. Once caramel is ready, take apple by stick and roll in warm caramel covering entire apple. Allow caramel to drip from apple , over pan or bowl. When excess has dripped place onto cookie sheet covered by wax paper. Do only a couple apples at a time so you can proceed with decorating them while they are still a bit warm. The warm caramel will allow candy decoration to adhere better.

4. 

   Decorating caramel apples. If you have chose to add sprinkles or edible glitter you can do so now. Place edible glitter or sprinkles into clean bowl. Gently roll apple through edible glitter or sprinkles. Set aside on cookie sheet covered by wax paper. When you have completed the batch place in the refrigerator to set. Some intricate decorations may require more detailed application. Be sure if that is the case follow all directions on packaging. If you have chosen to write on your apples with chocolate or white chocolate your apples need to be cooled. You may place them in the refrigerator until the caramel has set. Writing instructions to follow in later step.

5. 

   Writing on caramel apple wedding favors. Before you begin you should practice the method you will be using to write on the apples. You can use a washed apple that has been slightly cooled in the refrigerator. The coolness will help the chocolate to set and not run. You should first write down what you will be adding. Get a feel for the look you want. If you are using disposable bags keep in mind when you cut the tip start small. Now after melting the chocolate as per the instructions on the packaging place in the bag. You will not cut the tip until it s filled. Do not add chocolate that is too hot. Now on cool apple practice your design, Remember that all apples will not look exactly alike but it should be kept close to keep them uniform. You can wash the apple when you are done. If you are ready and the apples are cool you may write on them. Place on cookie sheet covered with new clean wax paper. You do not want you apples to stick to any caramel left on sheet while they were setting. Place back in the refrigerator to allow chocolate to set further.

6. 

   Tying ribbon on sticks and packaging. While the apples set you can take a stick and use it to see how long your ribbon needs to be to make a nice sized bow. When you have decided on a length cut the rest of your ribbon and place in a zip lock bag until you are ready to use it. Packaging, if your budget allows choose a clear box that shows off your handmade caramel apple wedding favor. It will protect the apple and allow it to be seen. If your budget does not allow you can purchase caramel apple plastic containers cheap from online candy making and caramel apple suppliers. You may also use clear cellophane bags that are inexpensive as well. After caramel apples are completely set you can add your personalized wedding ribbon and place them in your containers to place a caramel apple in the container to see where the best placement for the bow would be. You do not want your beautiful ribbon to get smooshed. They must remain refrigerated until the day of the wedding. If not the caramel will become soft add the decoration will not hold up. If you are having an outside wedding you may choose to pass out caramel apple wedding favors toward s the later half of the wedding reception. If you have to do that you should choose someone to be responsible for that task. Someone that you know will make sure it gets done. If you have a wedding coordinator that would be perfect. Otherwise for indoor receptions place them at each place setting.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy enough apples to have extra caramel apple wedding favors handy. Sometimes people may not include children on RSVP, and you don't want to leave anyone out.

• If time permits test out a couple different designs or types of decoration. Something you may not think will look good might actually be your favorite.

• If you prefer chocolate, you can find recipes online to cover apples in chocolate in place of caramel.

• Many local stores carry candy decorating supplies that work well on caramel apples. Joanne's , Party City even Target or Walmart.

• Look in your phone book or online to find local cake decorating stores too.

• Do not use peanuts when decorating caramel apples, peanut allergies are serious and sometimes fatal.

• Make sure that the stick does not poke out the side of the apple. They are sharp and can penetrate skin.