Homemade Caramel Apples

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword caramel-dipped-apples, homeade-caramel-apples, homemade-caramel, homemade-caramel-for-dipping-apples

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Chilling time 1

Total Time 1 50

Servings apples

Calories 613kcal

10 medium Granny Smith apples
10 wooden sticks
3/4 cup butter
2 cups light brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, candy or sprinkles, use your favorite

Wash and dry the apples, removing the stem. Insert a wooden stick into the center of each Set aside. Have nearby a large cookie sheet lined with wax paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a deep heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter, brown sugar, light corn syrup, dark corn syrup and salt. Stir constantly to prevent sticking.
Add the sweetened condensed milk. Gently bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 225°F. Around 15-20 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add vanilla, stir until combined. Dip each apple into the caramel turning to evenly coat. Tilt the saucepan as needed. Spoon the caramel over the apples to evenly coat.
Immediately dip in your preference of chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, candy or sprinkles.
Place onto the cookie sheet. Chill until set.
Bring to room temperature to allow the caramel to soften before serving. Store chilled.

Caramel Apple Variations: I rolled these gourmet caramel apples in salted peanuts but the sky's the limit with options! Sprinkle them with mini milk chocolate chips or white chocolate chips, pretzels, crushed cookies, crushed butterfingers, pecans, chopped candy bars, toffee bits, peanut butter chips, M&M's, sprinkles and beyond.

It's vitally important that you dip the apples into the toppings immediately while the homemade caramel is still warm.

Serving Options: You can also serve this homemade caramel apples as a caramel dip. Keep it warm in a fondue pot or small crockpot and dip apples, bananas, pound cake, cookies, graham crackers or any of your favorite snacks!