Caramel Apples, the County Fair, Carnavals- Childhood Memories

Caramel apples are such a gourmet treat that is hard to resist. Gooey and sweet on the outside, tart and crunchy on the inside. They also make great gourmet gifts. Make your girlfriend, boyfriend or your child's teacher feel special and loved or impress your client to show your appreciation.

Check out the recipe below to make some delicious homemade gourmet
caramel apples and take a peek at the pictorial "How to"-guide at the
bottom of the page.

If you'd like to just buy some caramel covered apples online and have them
delivered for you to someone special, I have found some sites
with some good prices and you can write personal gift messages which
are packaged with your apples. I like the options both
Hannah's Caramel Apples and EdibleGiftsPlus offer for some great gourmet
caramel covered apples.

Easy and fun to make, you'll impress your friends, family and more with these gourmet pieces of art. Add toppings or leave bare, these yummy delights will bring many smiles. Have fun!

Ingredients

• 4 Medium-Sized Green Apples
• 1 Package Caramel Candies or Beads (11 oz.)
• 2 Tablespoons of Water
• 4 Corn-on-the-Cob Sticks or Popsickle Sticks
• (Optional) Toppings of Choice

Directions

Remove stems from apples and insert sticks. Place wax paper on top of small baking sheet and spray with unflavored cooking spray. Place apples on top and set aside.

Place caramel candies and water into a small saucepan or double boiler. Using medium heat melt candies while stirring. DO NOT leave stove unattended or you risk the caramel overheating and thickening.

Once caramel is completely melted and maintains a runny texture remove from heat. Dip one apple at a time only about one-third the way up from the bottom. With either a big wooden spoon or any serving spoon, scoop some caramel on top of the apple completing one circle around the stick. Twirl the apple by the stick with both hands to allow caramel to flow down the sides. This will create an even smooth coating.

If you wish to add toppings now is the time to do so. Place the toppings in a small bowl. Dip bottom of the apple then take a handful of topping and douse over the sides and top until completely covered. Place on baking sheet and complete one apple at a time entirely before moving on to next apple.

TIP: Apples are coated with a thin layer of wax. This wax may cause a challenge when adding the toppings as the hot caramel may slip down the sides due to the weight of heavier toppings like big chocolate or butterscotch chips, walnuts or peanuts. To remove this layer of wax briefly dip in boiling water and dry with a soft cloth or towel.

How to Make Homemade Gourmet Caramel Apples

The recipe above is helpful, but this pictorial guide will make it even easier. Use the recipe above for the ingredients and just follow the guide

1. Here is an example of a package of caramel beads you could pick up at your local supermarket and some butterscotch chips. You could use a variety of toppings.

Place wax paper on a small baking sheet and spray with unflavored cooking oil. Remove stems form apples and insert the sticks in them. Put apples on baking sheet and set aside.

2. Place caramel beads in small sauce pot. (Here I used a double boiler. I prefer to use the double boiler to avoid any chance of the caramel sticking to the bottom since it is heated by the steam from the bottom pot.) You will slowly bring the caramel candies to medium heat while stirring constantly.

TIP: DO NOT leave the stove unattended or you risk the caramel overheating and thus thickening. You will not be able to cover an apple with thick caramel.

3. Once caramel candies are completely melted and become runny and thin remove the pot from the heat.

4. Dip the bottom of the apple in the melted caramel

TIP: Apples have a thin coating of wax which may cause the caramel to slide off the apples, especially if you douse them with bigger toppings like big chocolate or butterscotch chips, which happened to me :( . To remove this layer of wax briefly dip apples in boiling water then wipe off with soft cloth or towel.

5. Scoop some caramel with a big wooden spoon or any serving spoon on top of the apple. Complete a circle around the stick. Then twirl the apple by the stick with both hands while caramel flows down the sides. This technique will allow the caramel to create a smooth, even coating over the apple.

6. Place the completed caramel apples onto the baking sheet then put in the refrigerator to cool for at least a half-hour. You could package the caramel apples in cellophane paper and tie the top with a bow then place them in a decorative gift box. If you'd like to deliver them send them with a fast delivery service like USPS priorty mail (if you are in the United States). You want the apples to arrive within 2-3 business days. If you are delivering the caramel covered apples during hot months or through a region that is above 80 degrees Farenheit then place the gift box inside a bigger box for sending. Then place some Ice-Brix_® around the apple to keep them cool.

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