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Making homemade caramel apples is a fun, hands-on treat that brings out the kid in everyone. With crisp apples coated in rich, buttery caramel, it’s the kind of recipe that invites creativity and rewards you with something sweet, sticky and satisfying. Whether you’re making them for a party, a fall afternoon snack or just because you’re craving something nostalgic, this recipe offers the perfect base. Dress them up with toppings or enjoy them simply coated in caramel.
These homemade caramel apples are dipped in buttery, creamy caramel for a nostalgic, sticky treat that’s as fun to make as to eat. Make some for Halloween!
Also try caramel apple pretzels, pistachio muffins, apple cinnamon fritters, apple pie muffin top cookies, or pumpkin cheesecake.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect for fall parties: These make a showstopping seasonal dessert for Halloween or harvest gatherings.
Customizable treat: Add toppings like chopped nuts, crushed cookies or sprinkles for extra flair.
Kid-friendly fun: Great for getting little hands involved in dipping and decorating.
Balanced flavor: The tartness of apples cuts through the rich caramel, making every bite pop.
Homemade Caramel Apples Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Apples: Crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith work best for a sweet and tangy balance.
Brown sugar: Provides a deeper, molasses-rich sweetness for the caramel.
Heavy cream: Adds creaminess and richness to the caramel.
Corn syrup: Helps stabilize the caramel so it sets up beautifully on the apples.
Unsalted butter: Contributes a velvety texture and buttery flavor to the caramel.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the caramel with warm, aromatic notes.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor profile.
How to Make DIY Caramel Apples
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the apples: De-wax the apples using hot water and a towel.
Insert sticks: Remove stems and push sticks firmly into each apple.
Prep tray: Line a tray with parchment and lightly grease.
Make the caramel: Combine cream, butter, corn syrup, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a pot.
Heat the caramel: Bring to 240°F over medium heat without stirring.
Cool the caramel: Let sit until slightly thickened but still pourable.
Dip the apples: Swirl each apple in caramel and let excess drip off.
Set the apples: Place your easy Halloween treats on a tray to cool and set before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Different apples: Use Fuji, Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apples for a sweeter option.
Vegan version: Swap cream and butter for coconut cream and vegan butter.
Flavor boost: Add cinnamon or bourbon to the caramel mixture.
Toppings option: Roll dipped apples in crushed peanuts, pretzels or mini chocolate chips.
Serving Suggestions
With a latte: Pair this Autumn and Halloween treat with a cozy mug of pumpkin spice latte or iced gingerbread latte for a fall-themed treat.
With other sweet treats: Serve alongside air fryer apple apricot dumplings for a dessert spread, or whip up some cosmic brownies to pair with them.
After Halloween dinner: Whip up spider pizza and skull potatoes and follow up with caramel apples.
How to Store Caramel Apple Halloween Treats
Store: The easy Halloween snacks are best served same day but can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Don’t let them touch each other or they might stick together.
Freeze: You can freeze them for a few months, although the apples might thaw out a bit softer or grainy.
Thaw: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Top Tips
Use tart apples: The contrast with the sweet caramel creates the best flavor.
Dry thoroughly: After de-waxing, make sure apples are completely dry so the caramel sticks.
Work quickly: Caramel thickens fast, so dip while it’s warm and fluid.
Caramel Apples FAQs
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.
You can try bamboo skewers, popsicle sticks or perhaps these fun, re-usable candy apple sticks that look like twigs that I used!
Caramel Apples Recipe – Autumn and Halloween Treat
Homemade Caramel Apples
Equipment
- Pot Large
- Pot Medium
- Metal Tongs or Slotted Spoon
- Skewers or Popsicle Sticks
Ingredients
- 4 apples, I used Granny Smith
- 1 Cup brown sugar, dark or light, packed
- 7 Ounces heavy cream
- ½ Cup light corn syrup
- 2 ½ Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
Instructions
Remove Wax Coating
- 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.
Prepare the Apples
- 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.
Make the Caramel
- In a medium pot mix together the cream, butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla.
- Over medium heat bring the mixture to 240°F. Don't stir the mixture during this time.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes until the caramel is thin enough to still dip but thick enough that it will coat and stick to the apple.
Coat the Apples
- 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.
Cool and Serve
- Let apples cool before serving.
- These are best served same day but can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
Dry thoroughly: After de-waxing, make sure apples are completely cool and dry so the caramel sticks better.
Work quickly: Caramel thickens fast, so dip while it’s warm and fluid.
Nutrition
Homemade caramel apples are the ultimate combination of crisp fruit and buttery, creamy caramel. They’re easy to make at home, fun to personalize with your favorite toppings, and always a hit. Whether you’re making them for a crowd or just a cozy evening in, this recipe is a tasty reminder of how simple ingredients can make something truly special.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Caramel apples are always a fall favorite! Making them at home was surprisingly simple.
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.
Are we already getting ready for fall? Wow that was quick
I love caramel apples and these sound delicious! I can’t wait for autumn!
I love candied apples! Always a fun treat to make your own and a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday!
These look absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try them this year for Halloweens’
i have never liked cand apples i know others do thought
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 can’t wait to make these! Saving for Halloween