This post contains affiliate links. Please see ourย disclosure policy.
Fall is the best time of year and there are so many recipes to make to celebrate! These Caramel Apples are really easy and fun to make. Learn how to make easy Caramel Apples with this recipe!
You all know Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the weather, the leaves changing, the sweaters and most importantly the food. My kids love apples, so they do not usually last long in my house.
I had to hide these Granny Smith apples from my kids so I could make this recipe. Homemade Caramel Apples are so fun to make, and taste better than the box kits available.
How to make Caramel Apples:
Caramel apples only have really 3 ingredients, apples, caramels and heavy cream. After you make your caramel apples coat them in candies, sprinkles or nuts!
Simply melt your caramel but be careful not to burn it. It is very easy to burn the caramel, so heat it low and slow.
This is why I use a microwave to melt the caramels, and not a stove top. Coat or dip your apples then add any toppings if you want!
Ingredient Notes:
- Granny Smith Apples – I like the crispness and tartness of Granny Smith Apples for caramel apples. You can use any apple choose.
- Caramels – Make sure they are unwrapped.
- Heavy Cream – helps the caramels melt nicely and stay creamy.
Directions:
Step One – Place wooden apple skewers in clean and dry apples.
Step Two – Prepare optional toppings by placing them on a plate or in a shallow bowl.
Step Three – Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside for later.
Step Four – Unwrap caramels and place them in a microwave safe bowl. Pour in heavy cream and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir and place back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat this until creamy and smooth.
Step Five – Dip apples into warm caramel one at a time then place on your prepared baking sheet or roll in toppings and then place in baking sheet.
Step Six – Place baking sheet with apples into the fridge for 30 minutes for caramel to firm. Serve and enjoy.
Caramel Apples Hack:
For Kids: If you plan on serving these to kids slice them first and place slices on wooden stick.
Spoon caramel onto the apple skin. Just make sure you are going to eat them right away if you are doing this.
This is a much easier way for your little ones to enjoy this treat. It hopefully will be less messy than a full-size apple!
Slow Cooker: Using a small Crockpot you can melt the caramel in there for the dipping process.
Put your caramels and heavy cream in the crockpot. Add about a 1/4 cup of water to it as well. Heat on medium for about an hour, stirring frequently to prevent it from burning on the edges.
Once melted lower the heat to low and then prepare your apples with caramel apple sticks to dip.
Dip your apples in the warm caramel, remembering to stir the caramel as needed to prevent from sticking and hardening.
Tips for making Caramel Apples at Home:
- Have Fun! This is the most important tip for making these! This is a very fun and festive treat that everyone will enjoy!
- Supervise your kids. Melted Caramel can be very hot right out of the microwave. Be careful of this and the bowl it was heated up in.
- Use a good Caramel candy. I used these Kraft Caramels for my caramel, and they taste great!
- Use a bamboo stick. I used these Bamboo Caramel Apple Sticks for this recipe.
What are the best apples to use for caramel apples?
Our favorite apple in our family are Granny Smith Apples. They have an amazing crisp that is great for adding caramel too.
You can also use your favorite apple as well. Fuji and Honeycrisp apples are great to use as well!
How to make these into Gourmet Caramel Apples:
So one of my favorite treats when I visit Disney World are their Gourmet Caramel Apples. Something about a caramel apple decorated like my favorite Disney character is amazing!
Well you can also do some fun things with your apples at home too and make them “gourmet.”
- Toppings: Once you coat your apples in the caramel roll them in a topping. Nuts, crushed candies, mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles.
- Use Toothpicks for adding things like Jumbo Marshmallows.
- Once the caramel has cooled and hardened you can use frosting or syrups for additional decoration.
If you tried any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.
Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH
Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- 6 small granny smith apples
- 11 oz caramels
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Place wooden apple skewers in clean and dry apples.
- Prepare optional toppings by placing them on a plate or in a shallow bowl.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside for later.
- Unwrap caramels and place them in a microwave safe bowl. Pour in heavy cream and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir and place back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat this until creamy and smooth.
- Dip apples into warm caramel one at a time then place on your prepared baking sheet or roll in toppings and then place in baking sheet.
- Place baking sheet with apples into the fridge for 30 minutes for caramel to firm. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Have Fun! This is the most important tip for making these! This is a very fun and festive treat that everyone will enjoy!
- Supervise your kids. Melted Caramel can be very hot right out of the microwave. Be careful of this and the bowl it was heated up in.
- Use a good Caramel candy. I used these Kraft Caramels for my caramel, and they taste great!
- Use a bamboo stick. I used these Bamboo Caramel Apple Sticks for this recipe.