Gourmet Caramel Apples

Delicious caramel apples that taste as good as they look! Make pro level caramel apples with a few simple ingredients!

Here at the Goodman house, we love fall because it's a good excuse to make these gourmet caramel apples! This is a super easy process, so don't let it intimidate you!

This recipe is my caramel corn recipe cooked to the soft ball stage. I've made several kinds, but the apple pie topping variation (found toward the middle of the post) is a favorite. My boys are partial to the mini m&m's apple topping.

What makes a caramel apple gourmet?

I think there are a few things that make gourmet caramel apples different than your regular caramel apples!

• First thing that comes to mind is that the caramel sticks to the skin of the apple and hardens.
• Second thing that comes to mind is the fabulous toppings you can cover these apples in. LIFECHANGING!!

Supplies needed for gourmet caramel apples

• Candy Thermometer. This is essential to make sure you get your caramel to the softball stage. If the caramel doesn't reach the correct temperature, it will not work properly.
• 4-quart saucepan
• Parchment Paper for freshly dipped apples
• Cooking Spray (like Pam) to lightly spray on the parchment paper
• Wooden sticks to pierce through the core of the apple (popsicle sticks, wooden dowel, etc.)
• A flat bottomed rubber spatula or wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan while caramel cooks
• Caramel Supplies- Listed below
• Optional Toppings- Listed below

Step by step:

• First things first- Wash your apples. Be sure to dry them off well.
• Remove the stems.
• Put wooden sticks through the core of each apple.
• Lay out your sheet of parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray.
• Get each of your toppings ready. More on this below.
• If you are only doing caramel and no other toppings, move on to the caramel making.at this point.

Topping options for caramel apples

Peanuts

Chop peanuts and have them ready in a bowl to roll onto freshly dipped caramel apples.

M&M's

I recommend using mini M&M's. Have them opened and in a bowl, ready to be rolled on a freshly dipped caramel apple.

Apple Pie

The process for the Apple Pie Caramel Apple is a little different than the first two options. First, dip your apple in caramel and set it on the parchment paper. While the apples are setting up get your white chocolate candy melts melted. Also, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, & 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon in a bowl. Once the white chocolate is melted, dip your apple and rub the excess chocolate on the rim of the bowl. Allow the white chocolate layer to sit for a few minutes (keep dipping a few more apples while you wait). Once a few minutes has passed, hold the apple over your cinnamon and sugar bowl and sprinkle it on white chocolate layer, turning the apple as you go. Place apple on parchment paper and allow to completely harden.

Turtle

Dip your apple in caramel and let it set up. Next, drizzle it with the melted dipping chocolate and sprinkle with the toasted pecans!  

Almond Joy

Drizzle your caramel apple with milk chocolate, then sprinkle with toasted coconut and toasted almonds.

How to make the caramel

Caramel Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 cup corn syrup
• A pinch of salt
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Step by Step Instructions:

• Add butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and condensed milk to your saucepan.
• Cook on medium-high heat stirring constantly or the condensed milk will scorch.
• Move quickly across the bottom of your saucepan and never lift that spoon or spatula!
• Cook your caramel to the soft ball stage (235-245 degrees-- Please use a candy thermometer.)
• The caramel should be a thick syrup consistency and a pretty medium color and you'll know it’s done as soon as it looks like this.
• Beware, the sauce bubbles up pretty quick, so watch it closely!
• Take off of the heat once you've reached the soft ball stage.
• Now, move your saucepan close to your apples and toppings that have previously been prepped.

How to properly dip apples

Roll all sides of your apple in the caramel. Don't have the caramel come all the way up to the wooden stick. Leave some green showing.

Scrape the bottom of your apple on the side of the caramel pan until it is no longer dripping. Now, tip your apple upside down and let the caramel smooth out. Now, place it on your parchment paper.

The caramel might pool a tiny bit below each apple and that is fine. Following the steps to scrape off excess caramel on the bottom of the apple and to hold it upside down for a bit helps prevent major pooling.

Once you've dipped your apples, leave them plain or follow the topping directions up to the top of the post.

We hope you enjoy our Gourmet Caramel Apple recipe as much as we do!!

• Never stop stirring your caramel while it cooks!!! This will prevent scorching!
• Have all of your toppings prepped and ready to go before starting the caramel. The one excepton is the white chocolate if making the Apple Pie apple. You will melt the white dipping chocolate while your caramel apples set up a bit.
• Invest in good candy thermometer.

• 3 Ingredient Caramel Sauce
• Homemade Applesauce
• Fresh Pressed Cider
• Easy Caramel Corn
• Caramel Pull-Apart Bread

• Candy Thermometer
• Rubber Spatula