Homemade Caramel Apples
If you love the combination of tart, crisp apples and sweet, sticky caramel, making homemade caramel apples is a must! Keep these delicious treats simple or add your favorite toppings to make them your own.
Servings 6 apples
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples
- 11 ounces caramel squares unwrapped, or Kraft caramel bits
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For topping
- chopped and toasted pecans, toffee bits, chocolate melting wafers, seasonal candies, etc.
Instructions
- Very lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper; set aside. Wash and dry apples; insert stick into stem end.
- Place caramels or caramel bits and water into a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until the caramels are melted, stirring frequently during cooking time. Stir in apple pie spice and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Dip apples in hot caramel mixture turning to coat well. Allow caramel to drip from apples for a few seconds, then scrape excess caramel from bottoms of apples. Dip bottoms of apples into desired candies, turning to coat. Place dipped apples on prepared pan.
- Chill apples for 10 minutes or until caramel is firm. Wrap apples individually if desired; store in refrigerator.
Notes
Tilting the bowl while coating the apples will help coat the apples. I also turn the apples sideways a few times over the bowl to help the caramel start to harden before setting on the tray.