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Homemade Caramel Apples

Simple homemade recipe for classic caramel apples using a sauce made from scratch and tons of ideas for garnishing!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 10 apples
Calories: 208 kcal
Course: Dessert , Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Apples
  • 8 to 10 Granny Smith apples (small to medium in size) washed, dried, and chilled
  • Lollipop sticks
For the Caramel
  • 2⅔ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2¼ cups heavy cream chilled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Stick a lollipop stick into the center of each apple and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Return to the refrigerator while you prepare the caramel.
  2. Affix a candy thermometer to the side of a large, heavy saucepan.
  3. Stir together the sugar, water, and salt in the saucepan. Place over medium heat and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture comes to a rolling boil, then stop whisking.
  4. Allow the mixture to boil until it turns a light golden brown, swirling the pan occasionally to assess the color, then slowly and carefully add the heavy cream (the mixture will bubble up ferociously).
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly with a rubber or silicone spatula, until the mixture reaches 246 degrees F. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Dip the apples in the caramel and return to the parchment-lined baking sheet, or roll in desired toppings. Allow the caramel to set completely, about 45 minutes. At this point, you can garnish further or serve. The caramel apples can be kept in the refrigerator for 1 week.

Notes

  •  
  • Equipment: Lollipop sticks or fruit skewers / Candy thermometer / 4-quart saucepan) / Slow cooker (if you want to keep the caramel warm for a caramel apple-dipping party!)
  • Garnishes: See post above for multiple options other than plain caramel.
  • Storage: The caramel apples can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • Recipe adapted from Serious Eats.

Nutrition Information

Calories 208kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 1mg (0%) Sodium 31mg (1%) Potassium 245mg (7%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 33g (66%) Vitamin A 110IU (2%) Vitamin C 8.3mg (9%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 0.6mg (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10apples

Amount Per Serving

Calories 208

% Daily Value*

Calories 208kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 31mg 1%
Potassium 245mg 5%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 33g 66%
Vitamin A 110IU 2%
Vitamin C 8.3mg 9%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 0.6mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.