Homemade Caramel and Chocolate Covered Apples

Caramel apples are festive and perfect for celebrating the season. I haven’t made caramel apples in a very long time, but they are fast and easy to make, and they make great gifts for kids and co-workers alike.

One of my attendings brought me a bag of apples from her back-yard and asked me if I could use them to bake with. At first I thought of all the baked goods I could make, but then decided that caramel apples are easy to give as gifts, and something my co-residents and staff would appreciate.

You can make traditional caramel apples, or mix it up by adding a chocolate coating as well. I used small red apples, but you can choose any size or type that you prefer. I even used my creativity when packaging them, and decided to add in halloween candy and a decorative bow. The caramel and chocolate covered apples are both festive and fun for any age group. Make some for this halloween, or any occasion, to add a little festivity to your life.

Homemade Caramel and Chocolate Covered Apples
Author: 
Recipe type: dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 15 apples
 

Ingredients
  • Caramel:
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup light corn syrup
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12-15 small apples
  • Chocolate:
  • ½ Milk Chocolate Bark
  • 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate
  • 1 bar dark chocolate
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions
Caramel Preparation
  1. In a large saucepan, whisk together cream, corn syrup, butter, and brown sugar.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a soft-ball stage (you’ll allow it to boil for about 5-8 minutes to get it to that point.
  3. Stir in the vanilla then remove the caramel from the stove and allow to cool slighty.
  4. Press popscicle sticks/cake pop sticks into the center of each apple. (I decided not to use sticks simply because I couldn’t find any)
  5. Dip the apples into the warm caramel, then transfer to parchment paper lined cookie sheet, and allow to cool. **If not using sticks, use a knife to puncture the apple where the stem was.**
Chocolate Preparation:
  1. I used a combination of milk/semi-sweet and dark chocolate, but you can you any type of chocolate that you prefer.
  2. In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate and heavy whipping cream
  3. Microwave in 1 min intervals, stirring in between until chocolate is smooth and creamy. Do not over heat chocolate or it will burn.
  4. Once the chocolate is smooth and uniform, dip each caramel coated apple into the chocolate sauce. I found that it helped to twirl the apple back-and-forth, until the apple is completely coated in chocolate.
  5. Allow to cool on parchment paper.
  6. If you choose to add sprinkles or candies, do it while the chocolate is still warm.
  7. I packaged the apples in clear cellophane bags and added halloween candy. I also purchased decorative ribbon to tie a bow, which made the package even more festive. This makes great gifts for friends and family around the holidays.

Notes
Next time I make the chocolate coating I would use a dipping chocolate that forms a candy shell. This type of chocolate has more wax additives, but it allows the chocolate to harden much faster. If you use the method I listed above, place the apples on a cookie sheet (with parchment paper) so that the apples can easily be transferred to the freezer to allow the chocolate to harden faster.

Caramel Coating:

Finished product

Related posts:

About Sheena

There are many different facets of interest in my personal and professional life. My passion for baking has developed over the past several years; I love the satisfaction of sharing my delicious treats with friends and family. My sweet tooth, and love of baking is quite contradictory of my profession. I am a dentist, and currently a post-doctoral student, studying a dental specialty. My other interest is health and fitness...again...quite controversial of my baked goods..but, I believe....all things in moderation. I enjoy running and working out, and even making healthy entrees for my husband and I. After following several other food blogs, I decided, that this would be a new hobby. I am passionate about everything I take part in, and hope that you enjoy this blog and that it inspires you to make each day delicious with homemade prepared meals....and desserts :)
This entry was posted in Dessert. Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to Homemade Caramel and Chocolate Covered Apples

Leave a Reply