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Home » Recipes » Dessert » Easy Homemade Caramel Apples Recipe

Easy Homemade Caramel Apples Recipe

By: Rebecca  |  Published: October 27, 2020  |  Updated: October 27, 2020  |   View Our Affiliate Disclosure Policy

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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! via @sugarandsoulcoCaramel 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! via @sugarandsoulco

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!

Close up photo of a caramel apple on a wooden serving tray.

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!

Overheat photo of ingredients to make caramel apples.

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.

Three caramel dipped apples on a wooden cutting board surrounded by nuts.

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.

Caramel being made in a small saucepan with a candy thermometer in it.

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.

A green apple being dipped in a small crockpot filled with caramel.

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.
Close up photo of caramel apples on a wooden cake stand.

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!

Caramel Apples

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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! You can also Subscribe to my Newsletter so you never miss a delicious recipe again!

Close up photo of a candied apple on a wooden serving tray.

Slow Cooker Caramel Apples

Rebecca Hubbell
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!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Rest Time 10 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 apples
Calories 633

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 633kcalCarbohydrates: 113gProtein: 2gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 402mgPotassium: 301mgFiber: 4gSugar: 105gVitamin A: 948IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me now!Mention @sugarandsoulco or tag #sugarandsoulco!

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About Rebecca Hubbell

I love sharing mouthwatering and fun recipes with all of you! My recipes are inspired by classic comfort food, the places I travel, and pop culture! I have a serious sweet tooth and love a good cocktail and pancakes and bacon are definitely my weakness! So stick around a discover something delicious!

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I love sharing sweet and savory recipes that are tested and perfected in my kitchen so they'll be an instant favorite in yours!

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