Learn how to make caramel apples with these easy tips and tricks. These decorated treats taste amazing and are a must-make this fall!
As soon as fall arrives, I love to make all types of apple desserts. Homemade caramel apples are always on my list, as well as cinnamon oat baked apples, crockpot apple butter, apple crisp and apple cheesecake pie.
When I think of fall, I immediately think of caramel apples. It’s a must to enjoy at least one during the fall season…or maybe even two. ;)
We usually always go apple picking at the apple orchard and look for fun ways to use them up. Making homemade caramel apples is the perfect solution! They’re simple to make and are a great activity for the family to enjoy together. The kids love to help make them!
We love to make all different types – some plain, others with toppings like M&M’s and crushed nuts or even some that are dipped in both caramel and chocolate. There are so many ways to decorate them…the options are endless!
To make homemade caramel apples:
To get started, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly butter the paper and then set aside.
Step 1: Wash apples and let dry
Use Fit fruit cleaner and a scrub brush. Scrub/wash the apples with warm water for about 30 seconds, then place on a towel and let dry completely. When apples are dry, place sticks in the center of the apple (these are my favorite sticks).
Step 2: Melt the caramel
Place the Peter’s caramel in a microwavable bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir and then cook an additional minute. Add more time if needed, until it’s totally melted. You can also place the caramel in a slow cooker and allow to melt.
Step 3: Dip the apples
Dip the apples in the caramel, leaving about one inch around the top. Hold up the apples to allow any excess to drip off and then use a spatula to scrape it off the bottom. Then place on the baking sheet.
If not dipping in chocolate: Leave as-is or coat with preferred toppings immediately. Then place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to help the apples set. Do not store in fridge.
If dipping in chocolate: Let caramel completely set before dipping in chocolate. Melt the chocolate according to package directions. Then either dip the apples in chocolate or drizzle over the top. Then add desired toppings immediately and let set.
Helpful tips
- Wash your apples thoroughly with FIT cleaner, a scrubber and warm water to remove the wax. You could also use a fine grit sand paper to lightly remove the wax from the apple.
- Make sure to thoroughly wash and dry your apples with warm water. Any wax or moisture left on the apple will prevent the caramel from sticking.
- Get all your ingredients ready before making the caramel, because you’ll want to move quickly once you dip them.
- My favorite caramel to use is Peter’s. I usually use half of the block for 12 apples and wrap the rest for later. It tastes so much better than Kraft caramels. Werther’s caramels will work too. You can also use a homemade caramel recipe.
- Allow the caramel to cool for a few minutes before dipping the apples.
- Once you dip your apple, hold it up for about 20 seconds to allow any excess caramel to drip off. Then scrape off the bottom with a spatula.
Toppings
- Sea salt
- Drizzled chocolate
- Chopped nuts
- Mini M&M’s or mini chocolate chips
- Reese’s pieces or chopped peanut butter cups
- Crushed Oreo’s
- Sprinkles
- Crushed Butterfingers
- Brown sugar and cinnamon (Mix together 1/4 cup sugar + 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon)
- Crushed toffee
- Crushed pretzels
- Chopped Snickers
- Candy corn
- Flaked coconut
- Graham cracker crumbs
My favorite combination!
My absolute favorite combo is the “apple pie apple” inspired by my favorite caramel apples from Disneyland.
Follow the simple instructions below to make this version:
- Dip the entire apple in caramel, allow to set.
- Once set, dip the apple in white chocolate until you reach the caramel. Let the excess chocolate drizzle off.
- Place the caramel in a bowl full of graham cracker crumbs. Let set in the bowl for a minute, then press the graham crackers onto the sides.
- Sprinkle the top half with cinnamon sugar.
- Then place on a piece of parchment paper to set.
Looking for more Disney inspired caramel apples? Check out this post with more fun ideas!
More apple treats:
- Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Caramel Apple Monkey Bread
- Toffee Caramel Dip
- No-Bake Caramel Apple Snickers Pie
- Apple Pull-Apart Bread
Caramel Apple Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Peter's caramel
- 12-14 medium green apples
- 1 cup chocolate melting wafers , optional
- 1 cup white chocolate melting wafers , optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly butter the paper. Set aside.
- Use Fit fruit cleaner and a scrubber. Then scrub/wash apples with warm water for about 30 seconds. Then place on a towel and allow to completely dry. Once the apples have dried, place sticks in the center of the apple.
- Place the caramel in a microwavable bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir and then microwave an additional minute. Add additional time if needed, until caramel is melted. You can also place the caramel in a slow cooker and allow to melt.
- Dip the apples in the caramel, leaving about one inch around the top. Hold up the apples to allow any excess to drip off and then use a spatula to scrape the caramel off the bottom. Then place on the baking sheet. If you are not dipping in chocolate, coat with any preferred toppings immediately or leave plain. Then place in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to help them set. Do not store there.
- If dipping in chocolate, allow the caramel to completely set before dipping. Then melt the chocolate according to package directions. Then either dip the caramel apples in the chocolate or drizzle over top. Then add desired toppings and allow to set.
Notes
- Wash your apples thoroughly with FIT cleaner, a scrubber and warm water to remove the wax. You could also use a fine grit sand paper to lightly remove the wax from the apple.
- Make sure to thoroughly wash and dry your apples with warm water. Any wax or moisture left on the apple will prevent the caramel from sticking.
- Get all your ingredients ready before making the caramel, because you'll want to move quickly once you dip them.
- My favorite caramel to use is Peter's. I usually use half of the block for 12 apples and wrap the rest for later. It tastes so much better than Kraft caramels. Werther's caramels will work too. You can also use a homemade caramel recipe.
- Allow the caramel to cool for a few minutes before dipping the apples.
- Once you dip your apple, hold it up for about 20 seconds to allow any excess caramel to drip off. Then scrape off the bottom with a spatula.
- Sea salt
- Drizzled chocolate
- Chopped nuts
- Mini M&M's or mini chocolate chips
- Reese's pieces or chopped peanut butter cups
- Crushed Oreo's
- Sprinkles
- Crushed Butterfingers
- Brown sugar and cinnamon (Mix together 1/4 cup sugar + 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon)
- Crushed toffee
- Crushed pretzels
- Chopped Snickers
- Candy corn
- Flaked coconut
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Apple pie apple: Cinnamon sugar on top and graham cracker crumbs on bottom
Caramel apples are my favorite! Great recipe – love that we were able to make them different ways. We’ll make them again on Halloween! Thank you
My kids and I had so much fun making these! They turned out great, thanks for the recipe!
These are great – and I am definitely trying the apple pie caramel apple! Yum!
Caramel apples are one of my favorite treats, especially when they’re covered in chocolate and other treats as well! Yum! I love the white apple pie “Mickey” you made — so cute! Great tips here.
Such a brilliant post! My favourite coating is nuts but my kids prefer crushed oreos. No surprise there!