Caramel Apples are a deliciously sticky, sweet, and seasonal treat that kids and adults both love! Enjoy plain or decorate them with M&Ms, toffee, Oreos, and nuts, or dip or drizzle them with chocolate!
Caramel Apples are a fall staple! Everyone loves the blend of fresh fruit with gooey caramel sauce – it’s such a perfect flavor combo! And probably why everyone loves my Caramel Apple Pie Dip too!
This easy homemade recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and is made completely from scratch! You’ll have beautiful and delicious caramel dipped apples ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!
Caramel Apple Ingredients
The Caramel Sauce is made with brown sugar, corn syrup, water, heavy cream, butter, vanilla, and salt.
The Apples can be your favorite flavor but I think Granny Smith’s are the best variety to use for this recipe.
The Toppings are completely up to you! You can leave them plain or you can roll them in chopped nuts, crushed cookies, or candy before the caramel fully sets. Once the caramel has set, you can also dip and drizzle them in white or dark chocolate.
How To Make Caramel Apples
Expert Tip: Make sure to clean and dry the apples well so that the caramel properly sticks to them.
Make the caramel sauce by adding the brown sugar, corn syrup, and water to a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the mixture is golden brown and reaches 235 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
Carefully add the butter and heavy cream and cook until the mixture returns to 235 degrees F. Remove from heat and gently stir in the vanilla and salt. The cooking process should take about 15 minutes or so.
Expert Tip: Don’t stir the mixture, just swirl in the pan, this will prevent bubbles from forming and keep the caramel nice and smooth.
Insert a popsicle stick or lollipop stick into the top of the apples for easy dipping and coating the apples.
You can dip the apples straight into the hot caramel in the pan or you can transfer the caramel mixture to a small crockpot to keep it warm. This is a great idea if you’re hosting a party and want kids to be able to make and decorate their own.
After dipping, decorate and place the apples on parchment paper that has been sprayed with non-stick spray to set. This will allow them to set without the bottom of the apples sticking. The sauce should set in less than 10 minutes.
Store uneaten apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Caramel Apple Flavor Ideas
Personalizing caramel apples is one of the joys of this fall carnival treat! The possibilities are endless and everyone can make their own!
- Turtle: Roll the apples in chopped pecans and top with chocolate drizzle.
- Snickers: Dip the set caramel apples in chocolate and then roll in chopped peanuts.
- Oreo: Roll in crushed Oreos and add a white chocolate drizzle.
- M&Ms: Use mini M&M’s for best results.
- Nutella: Dip in melted chocolate and roll in mini chocolate chips and chopped hazelnuts. Drizzle with warm Nutella.
- S’mores: Dip the set caramel in chocolate and then roll in dehydrated mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs.
- Snickerdoodle: Dip in white chocolate and roll in cinnamon sugar.
More Apple Recipes
If you’re a big fan of apple, you have to try my Apple Fritter Monkey Bread, it’s a delicious twist on classic Monkey Bread. If you’re planning for Thanksgiving, I highly recommend adding my Dutch Apple Pie to your menu! And these Apple Hand Pies are another easy treat that kids love!
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If you’ve tried this recipe please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review, I love hearing from you! And don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos!
Slow Cooker Caramel Apples
Ingredients
For the Caramel
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 3 tablespoons water
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings & Extras
- 4 granny smith apples
- Mini chocolate chips optional
- Pecans optional
- Mini m&ms optional
- Crushed Oreos optional
Instructions
- Start by cleaning and drying your apples well so that the caramel properly sticks to them.
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook the mixture until it turns golden brown and reaches 235°F (soft ball stage) on a candy thermometer. This should take about 10 minutes. Note: Don’t stir the mixture. Just swirl the pan to ensure it doesn’t burn.
- Next, add the butter and heavy cream slowly. It will bubble and may splatter. Stand back! Note: Again, no need to stir. Just swirl the pan to mix.
- The temperature of the caramel will drop when the cream is added. Cook the caramel again on medium-high heat until it reaches the soft-ball stage again (235°F). This should take another 5-7 minutes. Again, don’t stir the caramel, just swirl the pan as needed.
- Once the mixture reaches 235°F, remove it from the heat and gently stir in the vanilla and salt. You don’t want to add bubbles to the caramel so don’t stir too vigorously.
- Transfer the caramel to a slow cooker set on the “low/keep warm” setting. Stir the caramel occasionally to ensure it is warm all the way through. This caramel can be kept warm for up to two hours.
- Place a popsicle stick through the center of the apple. Dip the apple in the caramel and swirl it around to coat on all sides. Before the caramel sets, add your desired toppings.
- Place the apples on a parchment-lined sheet pan sprayed with nonstick spray and allow them to set before enjoying.
- Store uneaten caramel apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Light or dark brown sugar can be used in this recipe.
- Heavy cream must be used in this recipe. Milk will thin the caramel too much and it won’t set properly.
- Any apples can be used in this recipe, although the tartness of granny smith pairs perfectly with the sweet caramel.
- This caramel can be used as a dip for apple slices or coating entire apples.
- I recommend placing the dipped apples on a sheet of parchment paper that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick spray. I do not recommend placing it directly onto a plate/baking sheet as it will stick.
- Topping Ideas
- Turtle: Roll the apples in chopped pecans and top with chocolate drizzle.
- Snickers: Dip the set caramel apples in chocolate and then roll in chopped peanuts.
- Oreo: Roll in crushed Oreos and add a white chocolate drizzle.
- M&Ms: Use mini M&M’s for best results.
- Nutella: Dip in chocolate and roll in mini chocolate chips and chopped hazelnuts. Drizzle with warm Nutella.
- S’mores: Dip the set caramel in chocolate and then roll in dehydrated mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs.
- Snickerdoodle: Dip in white chocolate and roll in cinnamon sugar.
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