Homemade Caramel Apples are sweet, delicious, and fun to make. Chewy caramel made from scratch covers crisp, juicy apples and can be topped with a nearly limitless selection of optional toppings to make this fall dessert absolutely irresistible.
Making caramel apples at home is easier than you think! You only need a handful of everyday ingredients and one hour of time. This recipe is fun to make alone or with a group and is a perfect party treat for fall holidays (especially Halloween!). Plus, it’s very customizable — keep reading for ingredient swap suggestions and topping ideas!
Why You'll Love these Caramel Apples
- Done in under an hour. These festive, healthy-ish snacks or desserts are ready in just under an hour, which makes them easy to whip up for a Halloween party or an afternoon treat. It's so much easier to make hommeade caramel apples at home that you might have thought.
- Kid-friendly. This delicious recipe also doubles as a fun fall activity that your kids will remember for years to come. Whether you make it a seasonal tradition or a one-time activity, kids of all ages will enjoy making (and eating!) these yummy gourmet caramel apples made from scratch.
- Simple ingredients. Unlike some store-bought caramel candy apples, these homemade caramel apples don’t contain fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients — just a few common ingredients that you are already familiar with.
- Decorate them if you want. What is Halloween without a little bit of dress-up? You can make these caramel apples as is, or decorate them! I played around with milk chocolate, white chocolate, and crushed nuts. You could also add some orange food coloring to the white chocolate to make it orange in line with a Halloween theme. There are so many other ways to decorate. Use m&m's, marshmallows, or sprinkles too.
Ingredient Notes
To make these delicious gourmet Caramel Apples, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- apples - you can use virtually any apple you would like. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji apples are especially great candidates for coating (I personally love using Granny Smith apples). Just be sure to use unwaxed apples and keep them cold and dry in the fridge as this will allow the caramel to stick to the apples.
- butter - butter is considered essential for making caramel. You may be able to use a vegan alternative in its place, such as coconut oil. But note that the result will vary in texture and taste.
- brown sugar
- light corn syrup - the corn syrup in this recipe can be substituted for brown rice syrup, thick maple syrup, or light molasses. Be mindful that each of these alternatives will lend a mildly different flavor that may be noticeable in the finished product.
- sweetened condensed milk - there are also vegan alternatives available to replace the traditional dairy version if you want. If you’re plant-based or otherwise dairy-free, try sweetened condensed coconut milk instead.
- vanilla extract - vanilla extract can be substituted for vanilla bean paste or another extract (in different amounts depending on the intensity of the flavor). Cinnamon or maple extract would both lend complimentary flavors to the caramel apples.
You can keep the caramel apples plain, or add your favorite toppings such as:
- milk chocolate
- white chocolate
- walnuts or other nuts
- pretzels
- mini m&m's
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a medium saucepan, candy thermometer, and hard lollipop sticks (or popsicle sticks). I used these bamboo lollipop sticks for my candy apples. They are sturdier than regular lollipop sticks or cake pop sticks.
How to Make the Best Caramel Apples from Scratch
- Prepare apples. Use unwaxed apples or wash them well to remove any wax. Use a paper towel to pat them completely dry. Insert hard lollipop sticks into the center of the apples. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and transfer to the freezer to chill while you prepare the caramel.
- Heat caramel ingredients. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the sugar, syrup, condensed milk and vanilla. Stir regularly and cook until the mixture beings to boil.
- Thicken. Increase heat to medium heat and cook caramel for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly but slowly, until the caramel thickens and the caramel is done (check for doneness by checking the temperature or using the soft ball method).
How to Tell when Caramel is done
There are 2 ways to help you figure out if your caramel is done:
- Temperature check: The caramel will be done when your candy thermometer reads 235 °F.
- Soft ball method: You can also test the caramel to see if it forms a "soft ball". This means that if you drop the caramel into cold water and then remove it from the water and roll into a ball, the caramel should keep its shape.
- Cool. Remove saucepan from the heat. Let the caramel cool for a few minutes.
- Dip apples. Dip the apples into the hot caramel and twirl to fully coat and to let any excess drip off. Hold it upright for 30 seconds before placing it top side down back on the lined pan (this is to prevent the caramel from pooling at the bottom).
- Decorate (optional). To decorate, start decorating the apples within 5-10 minutes (before the caramel has completely set). For plain caramel apples or apples completely dipped in chocolate, transfer the apples to the refrigerator instead for 15 minutes first to set completely. If the caramel pooled a little on the parchment paper, you can leave it as is, or lift up the apple and use your hand to shape the pooled caramel around the apple.
How to Decorate Caramel Apples
There are so many ways that you can decorate these festive caramel apples. You can:
- Dip the caramel apples (not yet fully set) in crushed nuts, pretzels, and/or mini m&m's.
- Allow the caramel to set, then melt the milk chocolate and/or white chocolate and drizzle some or the caramel apples with melted chocolate.
How to Melt Chocolate
You can melt the chocolate either on the stove or in the microwave.
- On the stove: Bring 2 inches of water to a low simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Then, turn the heat to low and place a medium heatproof bowl on the mouth of the pot. Make sure that there is a gap of a few inches in between the bottom of the bowl and the water (You can also place a bowl on a steamer attachment on top of your pot). Add the chocolate and stir constantly as it melts. Stir until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. This should take a few minutes.
- In the microwave: The second way to melt chocolate (and an easier way) is in the microwave. Place the medium heatproof bowl of chocolate into the microwave and microwave in 30 second intervals. Remove the bowl at each interval and stir well. Repeat until the chocolate has completely melted. Stir until completely smooth.
- Allow the caramel to set, then melt the milk chocolate and/or white chocolate and dip it completely in chocolate for 2 solid layers — caramel and chocolate.
- Add extra toppings if desired.
Set aside the decorated apples back on the parchment paper lined pan and let toppings harden fully.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Get the whole family involved! Invite the kids to decorate their own caramel candy apples. Everyone from toddlers to teenagers or young adults will love dunking the apples in caramel, drizzling with chocolate, and adding their own personal touches and tastes to these treats. Whether they make faces on their apples or coat the whole thing in nuts and sprinkles, it’s always interesting to see what their creative minds come up with.
- Remove wax — seriously. You may be tempted to skip this step if using waxed apples (if you aren’t sure if your apples are waxed, just assume they are!). Leaving the wax on will affect the taste and might keep the caramel coating from sticking to the skin. An easy and effective way to remove wax from apples is to use a cloth or paper towel to wipe the surface of the apple with an apple cider vinegar and hot water solution. Dry using a clean cloth or paper towel. Inspect and repeat as needed.
Storing Instructions
Wrap the caramel apple tightly in plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
It typically isn’t recommended to freeze caramel apples, as the caramel will easily become freezer burned and the apple will change consistency when thawed and may be unpleasant to eat.
More Apple Dessert Recipes
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Recipe
Caramel Apples
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 caramel apples
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Homemade Caramel Apples are sweet, delicious, and fun to make. Chewy caramel made from scratch covers crisp juicy apples, topped with optional toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, unsalted
- 2 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 medium apples, unwaxed, stems removed (I recommend Granny Smith apples) - use unwaxed apples and keep them cold and dry in the fridge which will allow the caramel to stick.
- 8 hard lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks
Toppings:
- milk chocolate
- white chocolate
- walnuts or other nuts, crushed
- pretzels, chopped
- mini m&m's
Instructions
- Use unwaxed apples or wash them well to remove any wax. Use a paper towel to pat them completely dry. Insert hard lollipop sticks into the center of the apples. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and transfer to the freezer to chill while you prepare the caramel.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Whisk in the sugar, syrup, condensed milk and vanilla. Stir regularly and cook until the mixture beings to boil.
- Increase heat to medium heat and cook caramel for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly but slowly, until the caramel thickens and the temperature on a candy thermometer reads 235 °F. You can also test the caramel to see if it forms a "soft ball". This means that if you drop the caramel into cold water and then remove it from the water and roll into a ball, the caramel should keep its shape.
- Remove saucepan from the heat. Let the caramel cool for a few minutes.
- Dip the apples into the hot caramel and twirl to fully coat and to let any excess drip off. Hold it upright for 30 seconds before placing it top side down back on the lined pan (this is to prevent the caramel from pooling at the bottom).
- To decorate, start decorating the apples within 5-10 minutes (before the caramel has completely set). For plain caramel apples or apples completely dipped in chocolate, transfer the apples to the refrigerator instead for 15 minutes to set completely. If the caramel pooled a little on the parchment paper, you can leave it as is, or lift up the apple and use your hand to shape the pooled caramel around the apple.
Decorate:
- Dip some caramel apples in crushed nuts, pretzels, and/or mini m&m's.
- Melt the milk chocolate. Drizzle some caramel apples with melted chocolate. Add extra toppings if desired.
- Melt the white chocolate. Drizzle some caramel apples with melted white chocolate. Add extra toppings if desired.
- For apples completely dipped in chocolate, use caramel apples that are fully set and then dip them in the melted chocolate to coat.
- Set aside the decorated apples back on the lined pan and let toppings harden fully.
Notes
How to store: Wrap the caramel apple tightly in plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for up to 7 days. It typically isn’t recommended to freeze caramel apples, as the caramel will easily become freezer burned and the apple will change consistency when thawed and may be unpleasant to eat.
Lollipop sticks: I used these bamboo lollipop sticks for my candy apples. They are sturdier than regular lollipop sticks or cake pop sticks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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Stacey Lanier says
These look so good! I used to always get the caramel apples at the local fall fair in SC; feeling nostalgic for them now.
EverythingAliex says
These look so delicious! I must try it. Thank you for the lovely post.
Cynthia says
These look so good. I love caramel apples and you have raised the bar on regular apples.
JoJo Tabares says
They look soooo good! Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer @NourishedSimply says
I made caramel apples a few years ago. They did not look at pretty as yours though.
Rachel says
Oh yum! Caramel apples are my favorite!