The BEST homemade caramel apple recipe
If it’s fall, then it’s time to make some delicious caramel apples. This caramel apple recipe is the best. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll be on your way to eating this festive fall favorite. Take a look!
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I am not the most fabulous cook, so I am always looking for recipes that are “fool-proof”. This caramel apple recipe is so easy, it’s hard to make a mistake even if you tried. Here’s everything you need to get started.
Gather your caramel apple ingredients
You might have a lot of these ingredients already at home. Here’s a list of everything you will need to make this recipe:
- 8-10 Granny Smith tart apples (you can use other apples if that’s all you have)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 2 cups brown sugar
- Vanilla
- 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
- Caramel apple sticks and bags
- Candy thermometer
- Toppings (optional)
Prep your apples
Remove the stems from all of your apples. Then insert a stick into the top of each apple as a handle. Most apples from the store come with a thin layer of wax on them which causes the caramel to not adhere to the apple as well. To remove the wax, dip each apple in a pot of boiling water for about 3-5 seconds each. Then, dry with a paper towel to remove any excess wax.
Make your caramel for dipping
In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and butter together. You will add the vanilla at the end. Stir constantly over medium-high heat.
Bring the caramel mixture to a boil and reduce to medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon so it doesn’t burn on the bottom. Cook until the caramel mixture reaches 248 degrees F (120 degrees C) on your candy thermometer. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can drop a teaspoon of caramel in a glass of cold water. When it’s ready, it should form a firm ball. It takes about 10-15 minutes once the caramel sauce starts to boil. Then, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Dip your apples
Now for the fun part. Once your caramel is ready, work quickly. Dip each apple into the hot caramel and completely coat the apple. I like to tip the saucepan slightly as I’m dipping the apple. Allow excess caramel to drip off the apple. Then, scrape the bottom of the apple with a spoon to remove the excess caramel.
If you are adding toppings, roll the bottom of the apple in a bowl of your desired topping. Then place the apples on some parchment paper. Here’s a list of caramel apple topping ideas:
- Mini M&Ms
- Crushed Oreos
- Mini chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts
- Biscoff cookie crumbs
- Gummy worms or gummy bears
- Toffee or Heath bits
Allow the caramel apples to cool completely. The caramel apples make the best gifts. People always love receiving this homemade dessert as a thank you or birthday gift. My favorite are caramel apples covered in chopped peanuts. What is your favorite? Leave your answer in the comments below. Enjoy!
The BEST homemade caramel apple recipe
Equipment
- 1 candy thermometer
Ingredients
- 8 large Granny Smith tart apples
- 8 wooden candy apple sticks
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 1 cup butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Insert wooden sticks into the top of each apple. Dip each apple in a pot of boiling water for 3-5 seconds to remove the wax. Dry each apple with a paper towel
- Combine brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk. corn syrup and butter in a large pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
- Bring the sauce mixture to a boil and reduce to medium heat. Cook the caramel sauce until it reaches 248 degrees F (120 degrees C). This takes about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 tsp of vanilla extract
- Quickly dip each apple in the hot caramel until completely covered. Remove any excess on the bottom of the apple with a spoon. Roll apple in a bowl of topping if desired and then allow to cool on a piece of parchment paper.
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