How to make Your Own Caramel Apples

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By ct825876
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With the holidays rapidly approaching, this is a great time to check out a recipe for making your own caramel apples at home. Some recipes for caramel apples call for opening a few dozen store-bought caramels, but this recipe shows an easy way to make caramel apples with homemade caramel. You and your family and friends will love them!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

12 apples, cleaned and dried (tart varieties like Granny Smith work best)
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
craft sticks (like ice cream sticks)
wax paper
various toppings if desired: chopped peanuts, coconut flakes, sprinkles, small candies like M&Ms, crushed cookies, etc.

Step 1

Once apples are washed and dried, take a craft stick and insert into each apple at the stem end. Push it about half way through so it's strong enough to hold up the apple but still leaves enough room to grasp it.

Have all your items ready, apples waiting to go, and toppings (if any) handy.
Step 2

In 2 quart saucepan melt butter and add salt, syrup and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a full boil, 10−12 minutes.
Step 3

Stir in milk and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reaches 245°F. If you do not have a candy thermometer, continue cooking until a small amount of the mixture dropped in ice water forms a ball.
Step 4

Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
Step 5

Dip apples in caramel mixture. Place coated apples on waxed paper. You can enjoy them as-is or, if you want to add toppings, place each topping in a small bowl and roll the bottom half of each apple in it. Allow the caramel apples to dry completely before eating or storing in an airtight container.