This Halloween why not make some tasty and easy DIY caramel apples? They make a wonderful Autumn and Halloween treat and are just as simple to prepare as their red candied cousins. My mouth waters when I think about homemade caramel coated apples! I have all the details for how to make caramel apples on a stick, so read on for the best caramel apples recipe to make this fall season.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Caramel apples for Halloween are a very easy recipe. A Halloween caramel apple is sure to appeal to everyone’s palate. You will need a few items to make these, such as a candy thermometer, wax paper to catch excess caramel drip and of course the rest of the Halloween caramel ingredients.
I love using Granny Smiths because their tart flavour contrasts beautifully with the sweet caramel. But you can use whatever kind you prefer. Use small or medium apples to make the best caramel apples. Although I find tart apples give me the best caramel apple, if you like sweeter ones, perhaps red apples, use those!
Easy DIY caramel apples are a great change from candy apples and this year I plan to make both kinds! You can’t get too much of all the good holiday treats! And these Halloween caramel apples definitely fit that description. Everyone will wonder how you learned how to make professional caramel apples!
Ingredients for Homemade Caramel Coated Apples
As well as the best apples (whichever are your favourite apples) and wooden popsicle sticks, you need a few other ingredients.
Take your pick from light or dark brown sugar. Each one offers a slightly different flavour. Dark brown sugar has a richer flavour like molasses. White sugar would also work but it doesn’t offer the same softness or depth of sweet flavour.
Butter and heavy cream are the dairy ingredients for these homemade caramel coat apples. Heavy cream is the base for the caramel coating. Don’t try to replace it with Half & Half or any kind of milk. These would be too thin.
The other ingredients you will need are salt, vanilla and light corn syrup. Corn syrup is basically liquid sugar and it’s what gives the caramel its sticky quality, like toffee. Omit this and your caramel sauce won’t stick to the spooky caramel apples!
You can’t sub extra sugar or artificial sweetener for the corn syrup in this easy Halloween caramel apple recipe. Else you won’t end up with the best caramel apple recipe, but instead something that won’t set properly.
The salt and vanilla add wonderful flavours. They help make this the best caramel apples recipe ever!
With these easy to find ingredients you can prepare these easy DIY caramel apples in next to no time. After gathering all the supplies and ingredients you can discover how to make caramel apples on a stick.
How to Make the Best Caramel Apples
First things first: it’s important to remove the waxy coating from the apples before dipping them into the hot caramel. Dip apples in boiling water (hot water) then use a clean tea towel to rub the wax coating off. Don’t rush this step. If you miss any, the caramel coating on your dipped apple isn’t going to stick to the fresh apple properly.
Now push the lollipop sticks into the apples as far as you can. Combine cream, corn syrup, butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a pan and warm it up. Don’t stir the mixture.
I used these re-usable candy apple sticks that look like twigs for the best apple treat idea.
Let it cool for a while then dip apples slowly. Let them cool and set then enjoy! Any leftover caramel can be cooled, broken into pieces then enjoyed as a treat or an ice cream topping.
You will find the caramel sauce sticks to the apples better if the apples are cold. You can pop them in the refrigerator while working on the caramel coating mixture.
One of these homemade caramel coated apples is enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. Knowing how to make caramel apples on a stick is so worthwhile. It means you don’t have to restrict this delcious treat to just this time of year!
Ideas for Leftover Caramel
Whether you have caramel left over accidentally or deliberately there are other ways to use it. This is why I like to make extra! After using what you need for these easy homemade caramel apples, pour it on to a sheet of parchment paper you’ve spritzed with oil. Wrap it up and after it sets you can cut individual caramel pieces.
Caramel pieces are tasty stirred into hot chocolate, served as a snack with your coffee or added to your next ice cream sundae. More ideas include pouring it over apple wedges or apple slices (similar to caramel apples but a smaller portion) or melting it over hot popcorn. Try it with banana or crunchy pretzels, stirred into yogurt or frozen yogurt or have it on waffles or pancakes.
When Autumn is in full swing, homemade caramel coated apples are the perfect treat idea. They make the perfect Halloween treat for everyone regardless of age or occasion. Knowing how to make caramel apples on a stick means you will be able to make these whenever the craving hits, adding all your favourite toppings and caramel candies.
I love homemade caramel coated apples. It’s hard to pick just one type – candy apples or caramel apples. That’s why I love to make both! Once you’ve decided on the best apples for caramel apples, prepared the warm caramel and gathered the simple ingredients, you can get ready for this delicious flavour sensation.
Enjoy these easy DIY caramel apples immediately or wait until the caramel is fully set. That will take 45 minutes or so. When the caramel is set, you might like to wrap this sweet spooky treat in cellophane bags and then tie them with ribbons. While you are waiting, you can think of other Halloween caramel apple ideas for the following year. These perfect caramel apples make such cute gifts for a Halloween party, too!
Caramel Apples Recipe – Autumn and Halloween Treat
Easy DIY Caramel Apples – Autumn and Halloween Treat
Ingredients
- 4 apples any kind, Granny Smith recommend
- 1 Cup brown sugar packed light or dark
- 7 Oz. heavy cream
- 1/2 Cup corn syrup light
- 2.5 Tbsp. butter softened
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract pure
- 1/4 Tsp. salt
Instructions
- To prepare the apples you must first remove the wax coating, one way to do this is to rinse in very hot water and rub away the wax with a towel. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then remove from heat. Very carefully take one apple and let it sit in the hot water for 15 seconds, then use a tongs or slotted spoon to remove it and place on a towel. Use the towel to rub the apple vigorously until the wax is gone. Repeat until all the apples have been de-waxed.
- Remove the stems from each apple then push a stick into the center of each apple where the stem was – making sure it's stuck in there really good.
- Prepare a cookie tray by lining it with parchment paper and lightly spraying with oil. You will use this tray to set your freshly dipped apples on.
- In a medium pot mix together the cream, butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla.
- Over medium heat bring the mixture to 240 degrees F. Do not stir the mixture during this time.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes until the Carmel is thin enough to still dip but thick enough that it will coat and stick to the apple.
- Dip each apple into the caramel and let the excess caramel drip off then place onto your prepared tray. Do this for each apple. If your caramel gets too hard to dip you can warm it up a little on the stove.
- Let apples cool before serving.
- Best served same day but can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Notes
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Let me know if you try to make these easy caramel apples. This is the best caramel apples recipe and your friends will think you got these gourmet caramel apples at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!
Other Recipes you Might Like
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for recipes, dogs, sustainability, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.
Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance food, travel, and lifestyle writer for MSN and the Associated Press Wire.
I can’t wait to make these! Saving for Halloween
Oh wow, that’s such a great idea. We normally buy caramel apples but home made must taste so much nicer!!! The kids would love helping me make them.
Oh wow, that’s such a great idea. We normally buy caramel apples but home made must taste so much nicer!!! The kids would love helping me make them.
i have never liked cand apples i know others do thought
These look absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try them this year for Halloweens’
I love candied apples! Always a fun treat to make your own and a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday!
I love caramel apples and these sound delicious! I can’t wait for autumn!
Are we already getting ready for fall? Wow that was quick
I love caramel apples. I have loved them for some 70 years (give or take a year or two!) but I never made them before. I just used to buy them. Anyway your recipe sounded so easy I made them as soon as I saw the first red and gold leaves on the trees because fall is as good a time as any for caramel apples and what can I say but this recipe is easy and you’ll love the apples. They’re better than the ones from the store.