5 from 1 vote

Homemade Caramel Apples

Homemade caramel apples | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

My boys are called to the apple bins at the grocery store these days like a siren song. Framing every bin are rows of gooey caramel apples, studded with nuts, candies and chocolate. Seriously, I can’t blame them for being drawn in, they are irresistible. But, then you bite into them and they are always just a touch disappointing. The apples are usually soft and the caramel is cloyingly sweet and tastes like it was from the previous generation. I convinced my boys to walk by without taking one, but only after promising to make them some at home. We picked fresh, crisp, juicy apples (Honeycrisp, Sweet Tango or a variety that is a bit tart). The caramel is easy to make and is rich, creamy, gooey and not over-the-top sweet. I like them with salted peanuts pressed into the caramel, but the boys like the apples dipped in caramel with no other interruptions.

Caramel Apples Recipe

Follow along with the instructions and get the full recipe below.

Prepare a cookie sheet with a lightly buttered sheet of parchment, set aside.

Combining ingredients for homemade caramel | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter, then add the brown sugar, corn syrup, honey and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture starts to boil. This can take about 10 minutes.

Adding sweetened condensed milk to homemade caramel | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

Add the sweetened condensed milk and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 238°F on a Candy Thermometer.

Testing temperature of homemade caramel | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

Once the caramel reaches the right temperature, remove from the heat

Homemade caramel | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

and allow it to cool to about 200°F. It will begin to thicken as it cools. It should be thin enough to coat the apple, but thick enough to cling to the fruit.

Preparing apples to dip in caramel | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

While the caramel is cooling, stick the Lollipop or popsicle sticks into the apple. Make sure they are deep enough that they won’t fall out while you are dipping the apples in the caramel.

Dipping apple in caramel  | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

Dip the apples into the caramel. I like how they look when some of the apple is still showing, but you can completely cover them if you prefer. Hold the apple over the pot of caramel and allow some of the excess to drip off before placing them on the sheet of buttered parchment.

Caramel apples with crushed peanuts | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

If you want, dip the bottom in the crushed peanuts.

Homemade caramel apples | ZoëBakes | Photo by Zoë François

Keep the apples in a cool, dry place and they will last for a few days, loosely covered with plastic.

 

 

caramel apples

Homemade Caramel Apples

Caramel apples are one of the best fall treats. These homemade caramel apples are easy and delicious, and you can use whatever apples you want. I love an apple with some tang to balance out the sweetness of the caramel.
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 apples
  • ½ cup crushed peanuts optional

Instructions

  • Prepare a cookie sheet with a lightly buttered sheet of parchment, set aside.
  • In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter, then add the brown sugar, corn syrup, honey and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture starts to boil. This can take about 10 minutes.
  • Add the sweetened condensed milk and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 238°F on a Candy Thermometer.
  • Once the caramel reaches the right temperature, remove from the heat and allow it to cool to about 200°F. It will begin to thicken as it cools. It should be thin enough to coat the apple, but thick enough to cling to the fruit.
  • While the caramel is cooling, stick the Lollipop or popsicle sticks into the apple. Make sure they are deep enough that they won’t fall out while you are dipping the apples in the caramel.
  • Dip the apples into the caramel. I like how they look when some of the apple is still showing, but you can completely cover them if you prefer. Hold the apple over the pot of caramel and allow some of the excess to drip off before placing them on the sheet of buttered parchment.
  • If you want, dip the bottom in the crushed peanuts. Keep the apples in a cool, dry place and they will last for a few days, loosely covered with plastic.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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14 thoughts to “Homemade Caramel Apples”

  1. You know, I was at the farmer’s market yesterday, buying every kind of apple imaginable, and I bought a whole pile of small beautiful ones especially to make caramel apples. I put them in my fridge and thought to myself that Zoe surely has either done caramel apples or will soon. And there they are, ready, and here you are, posting. Perfect.

    1. You forgot to mention in your step process of where to add the vanilla extract. I assumed in the beginning with everything else (after melting the butter, of course). I think the temperature needs to be a little higher than 238 degrees F. JMHO

  2. I just put lollipop sticks in my Amazon shopping cart. these look so fun! and i love that you didn’t fill them all the way to the top.

  3. Caramel apples are always fun to make. I use green apples most of the time and use some red color to get the Halloween look. So very perfect for fall.

  4. I knew I could count on you for a caramel apple recipe made with real caramel rather than something from a package. Thank you so much!!!

  5. What a brilliant recipe, Jenifer!
    Very fun to make and beautiful for showing. I’ll try this with green apple. the combination of green and brown is fantastic.

  6. 5 stars
    This recipe was so easy to follow. My friends and family really enjoyed them. I definitely making this a Halloween tradition.

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