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Monday, October 17, 2011

{ Caramel Apples }




So, how do you say it?

Care-a-mel? Or Car-mel?

I don’t care.
a-mel.
Get it?

Har. har.

I occasionally say care-a-mel, but then I feel too fancy for my pants. And we just can’t have that.

So, I snap back to normal and car-mel, actually it's more of a car-mull.

We could debate this for days.

But why would we?

Every year I made caramel apples.

You know the worst part?

Unwrapping the little buggers.

There has to be another way, right? Right.

Seriously, in the amount of time it takes you to unwrap the caramels, you can have this done.

This recipe is for 6 apples, but easily doubled.

Choosing the right apple is key.

You want one that is tart enough to balance the super sweet of the caramel. It also needs to be a firm apple.

Granny Smith is usually the best choice.

You will need a candy thermometer.

First melt the butter in a saucepan until it browns. This will give you the nice dark caramel color.

(My friend Darla of Bakingdom has a great step by step photo tutorial on browning butter.)

Add all other ingredients except vanilla. 

CA2

Over medium heat, bring to a boil, then let boil until thermometer reaches soft ball stage

Stir constantly, so it doesn’t stick or burn.

I realize when I took this picture I wasn’t stirring constantly like I just told you.

Uh… do as I say… not as I do. kay?

CA2-

After it reaches soft ball, remove from heat, add vanilla then allow to sit for about 5 minutes.

Dip apple in caramel.
CA4

Place onto buttered cookie sheet or parchment paper (you know how I love my parchment paper), and allow to cool.

CA3

Preeeeeeeetty, shinnnnnnnnny.

You can dip again into melted chocolate, or drizzle with melted chocolate & top with sprinkles.

CA1

Everybody loves caramel apples, don’t they??

I think so. I’ve often made these as gifts. I’ve dipped the melted chocolate in crushed cookies (oreos, chips, ahoy, nutter butters, grasshoppers, etc), crushed candy canes, crushed candy bars, etc.

Wrap them in cellophane paper, and top with ribbons and a tag. 

Great stuff.

This is a photo of one I did for presents for the Bean’s teachers a couple years ago.

Please forgive the quality, I could only find the websized photo. 

You guys are clever enough to get what it’s supposed to look like.

Apple

That is, IF you want to give them away.

And you know you don’t.

So, Care-a-mel
or
car-mel

or even, like me

car-mull.

Whatever floats your chewy, sticky boat.

Tina


Here's the printable!

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Homemade Caramel Apples
6 Whole, washed and dried apples
6 sticks (popsicle sticks, lollipop sticks for smaller apples)
4 Tablespoons butter (butter, not margarine)
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Choosing the right apple is key.

You want one that is tart enough to balance the super sweet of the caramel. It also needs to be a firm apple. Granny Smith is a great choice.

(This recipe is easily doubled)
First melt the butter in a saucepan until it browns. This will give you the nice dark caramel color. Stir constantly to avoid getting little brown bits of butter.

Add all other ingredients except vanilla.

Over medium heat, bring to a boil, then let boil until thermometer reaches soft ball stage (235°F–240°F).

Stir constantly, so it doesn’t stick or burn.

After it reaches soft ball, remove from heat, add vanilla, then allow to sit for about 5 minutes.

Dip apple in caramel and swirl to cover.

Place onto buttered cookie sheet or parchment paper.

You can dip again into melted chocolate, or drizzle with melted chocolate & top with sprinkles.





10 comments:

  1. Oh bless you Tina, can you believe I had only 2 (two!) caramel apples IN MY WHOLE LIFE? And both times were in Disneyland Paris. I've never seen them over here in Holland, but will definitely try to make them now (goes looking for a converter)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know I'm a car-mull girl too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I say car-a-mull apples, but I say car-mull corn. I call the candy car-a-mulls, and the ice cream topping is car-a-mell. That makes 4 variations. LOL. I think I would just melt Kraft caramels if I was going to make them, but actually, I usually buy Mrs. Prindables chocolate covered caramel apples.

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are beautiful! I love your pictures. :) And I say "car-mull" haha

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  5. Who doesn't love caramel apples? Such a fabulous treat.

    ReplyDelete
  6. OOOH LOVE THIS POST! I HAVE BEEN HOOKED ON MAKING CARAMEL APPLES THIS MONTH!!! NOW I WILL HAVE TO TRY YOUR VERSION TOO, LUCKY ME!!!! THANSK 4 SHARING ON WONKA WEDNESDAY!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I say car-a-mell, who cares though :) The caramel apples look so enticing. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  8. These look amazing! Just found your blog... Do you know how long these stay good in the fridge? I want to make a bunch for a party but they'd have to be done in advance. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks Natalia!

    They should stay good for a couple days in the fridge.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the great recipe. We just made them. So much better than unwrapping caramel candies.

    I am sending them to school tomorrow for Fall treats for my kids teachers.

    Happy Fall.
    Amy

    ReplyDelete

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