Go Back
Print
Photo of caramel apples.

Caramel Apples

Ingredients

  • 8-9 Apples of your choice
  • 1/2 Cup (One Stick) Butter
  • 2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Corn Syrup
  • 1 Cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Sprinkles, nuts, and mimi candy for decoration

Instructions

  1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

  2. Thoroughly wash the apples and dry them.  Any moisture will prevent the caramel from sticking properly.

  3. With a pairing knife, remove the stems from the apples.  Insert a candy stick or heavy duty chop stick into the center of each apple.  

  4. Melt the butter in a tall heavy saucepan.  Make sure that your saucepan is tall because the mixture will more than double in volume as it cooks.

  5. Add the brown sugar, cream, corn syrup, and vanilla.  If making this for grown-ups, you could omit the vanilla and stir in a tablespoon of your favorite hard drink.  Using Bourbon or Whiskey works very well.  

  6. Cook at low to medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves and the sauce simmers and thickens.  Continue to stir occasionally throughout the process.

  7. After about 15 to 20 minutes or so, the caramel sauce will be firm enough to coat the back of your wooden spoon.  If you have a candy thermometer, it should read between 245 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

  8. Remove from heat.  The sauce will continue to thicken after you remove it from the heat. 

  9. Rotate each apple in the caramel sauce.  Use a wooden spoon to make sure you cover the entire apple with caramel sauce.

  10. Holding the caramel apple over a bowl or plate, pour the sprinkles over the apple.

  11. Set the caramel apple back onto the parchment paper.

  12. Wait 15 minutes, or until they are completely set, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Don't leave the sauce unattended.  It might burn and create a hot mess that you have to clean up.