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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (No Bake) » Candy Coated Caramel Apples Recipe

    LAST UPDATED: September 29, 2021 • FIRST PUBLISHED: October 23, 2019 By Toni Dash 50 Comments

    Candy Coated Caramel Apples Recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    caramel apple recipe
    candy coated apples pinterest image

    This easy Candy-Coated Caramel Apple recipe is one friends and family will be begging you to make again and again! A great way to use up Halloween candy too.

    caramel apple recipe

    Fall is Caramel Apple season. They pop up in grocery stores around September and by December they are gone.

    They are so easy to make at home! This Candy Coated Caramel Apple recipe includes a special twist you’ll want to make all year long.

    Candy-Coated Caramel Apple recipe

    Fresh, crisp apples coated with buttery homemade caramel are adorned with your favorite candy like sweet little jewels. They are dressed up and ready for a party anytime.

    The addition of the candy coating makes them extra special. Any candy coating or nuts can be used!

    It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover Halloween candy too.

    Candy Coated Caramel Apple with Candy Corn

    Making Homemade Caramel

    Caramel is one of those things people don’t realize can be made at home.

    A simple combination of butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt transform into a buttery, silky caramel.

    Making the caramel is not difficult but takes some attention.

    Monitoring the temperature is the important step. The homemade caramel must reach a temperature to be pliable enough for dipping without over or under cooking.

    MUST HAVE EQUIPMENT

    A trusty candy thermometer ensures the caramel turns out perfectly every time.

    A traditional candy thermometer that clips to the side of a saucepan or an instant read both work.

    What Type of Apples to Use in this Caramel Apple recipe

    Granny Smith apples are the traditional choice for caramel apples. In my household they are not always the favorite variety.

    Often the tartness is not accompanied with a depth of flavor making them a bit flat tasting.

    I used a variety of red apples in addition to some Granny Smith and they all were delicious.

    Honeycrisp Apples are a favorite. They have a wonderful tart and sweet flavor with a thinner peel so they are easy to bite into as well.

    red and green apples dipped into caramel with sticks

    Caramel Apple recipe Ingredients

    The ingredients in this Caramel Apple recipe are simple and easy to find.

    For a detailed printable recipe refer to the recipe card at the end of the blog post.

    • Unsalted Butter
    • Light Brown Sugar
    • Light Corn Syrup
    • Kosher Salt
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • Vanilla Extract
    • Apples
    • Candy for rolling the apples (refer to the coating suggestions for ideas)

    You’ll also need wooden popsicle sticks or lollipop sticks. Both should be available from craft stores or online.

    Caramel Apple recipe Coating Ideas

    Using different candy and nuts make pretty and exciting homemade caramel apples

    The key is using smaller pieces to be sure they will adhere well to the homemade caramel coating.

    Candy Coating Suggestions:

    • Chopped bite-size Snickers bars
    • Chopped bite-size Butterfinger bars
    • M & M’s (regular or mini)
    • Reese’s Pieces
    • Candy Corn
    • Chocolate covered Raisins (chopped)
    • Chopped Nuts (chopped roasted salted peanuts are great)

    It would be a great project for after Halloween too to use up some of the candy. Many candies can work for this.

    Caramel apples with bowls of candy to coat them

    How to Make Candy-Coated Caramel Apples – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1: Remove stems from apples and insert the stick into the top of the apple. NOTE: check that the apple is sturdy on the stick before beginning.

    STEP 2: Put coatings in individual medium-size bowls (1 coating per bowl) with plenty of room for rolling the apple.

    STEP 3: Line a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper sprayed with non-stick spray (for dipped apples to set).

    Caramel Apple rolled in a bowl of M & Ms

    Making the Caramel

    STEP 4: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Stir together and allow to come to a boil.

    STEP 5: Equip the pan with the candy thermometer (if it has an attachment to clip onto the saucepan rim).

    STEP 6: Stir in the condensed milk. Allow to continue cooking until reaching 248 degrees (the ‘FIRM BALL’ stage).

    STEP 7: Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla.

    STEP 8: Holding an apple by the stick, insert the apple into the hot caramel; twist the apple to fully coat. Allow excess caramel to drip back into the pan.

    PRO TIP: tipping the saucepan at a 45 degree angle may help to coat the apples faster.

    bowls of candy and caramel apples

    Coating the Apples with Candy

    STEP 9: Immediately place the caramel apple into one of the bowls of a coating candy or nuts. Rotate to to cover all desired surfaces of the apple.

    STEP 10: Place the coated caramel apple onto the prepared baking sheet to set.

    STEP 11: Repeat for all desired apples.

    PRO TIP: if the caramel begins to set in the pan before all apples are coated, allow the pan of caramel to sit over low heat a few minutes to liquefy again.

    chopped butterfinger candy bars on caramel coated apple

    How to Store Caramel Apples

    Apples are best eaten right after making them.

    They can also be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    Eating the Caramel Apples

    If refrigerated allow the caramel apples to sit 45-minutes to 1 hour at room temperature for the caramel to soften. NOTE: chilling causes the homemade caramel to be very hard.

    The apples can be eaten on the stick or cut into wedges and served on a platter.

    Candy Coated Caramel Apples

    More Recipes You’ll Love

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    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    caramel apple recipe

    Candy Coated Caramel Apples

    Caramel apples are a perfect fall treat and these are especially exciting being rolled in a variety of candy. The caramel is so full-flavored and only requires patience and stirring until it reaches the right temperature to swirl the apples.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 10 candy coated caramel apples
    Calories: 577kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup Unsalted Butter
    • 2 cups Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 cup Light Corn Syrup
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • 1 14-ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 10 wooden popsicle sticks (or sturdy lollipop sticks)
    • 10 Mixed Apples: Granny Smith and Red Apple variety
    • Candy for rolling apples SUGGESTED OPTIONS: chopped roasted peanuts, candy corn, mini M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, chopped mini Snickers Bars, chopped mini Butterfinger bars, chopped chocolate covered raisins (2 cups per topping to allow ample to roll on the apple)
    • Candy thermometer

    Instructions

    Preparation

    • Remove the apple stems and insert the sticks into the tops of the apples. NOTE: Be sure the apple is sturdy on the stick.
    • Add the candy and/or nuts to individual medium-size bowls to allow plenty of room to dip and roll the caramel apples.
    • Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spray with non-stick spray (for the dipped apples).

    Making the Caramel

    • In a large saucepan over medium heat combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Stir together and allow to come to a boil.
    • Equip the pan with a candy thermometer.
    • Stir in the condensed milk and allow the mixture to keep cooking until it the mixture reaches 248 degrees (the ‘firm ball’ stage). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
    • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

    Coating the Apples

    • Holding an apple by the stick, inset the apple into the hot caramel and twirl the apple to fully coat.
    • Hold apple above the saucepan allowing excess caramel to drip back into the pan. Note: tipping the saucepan at a 45 degree angle may assist quick coating of the apples as well.
    • Immediately place the dipped apple into one of the candy or nut bowls, rotating the apple around to cover the surfaces desired.
    • Place the coated apple on the lined baking sheet to harden.
    • Repeat until all the apples are coated. TIP: if the caramel begin to set making dipping the apple difficult, allow the pan of caramel to sit over low heat for a few minutes to liquefy it again.

    Storing and Eating Apples

    • Ideally the apples would be eaten after making them however they may be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
    • When eating them out of the refrigerator, allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for the apples to warm up before eating (the caramel is very hard out of the refrigerator). The apples can be eat on the stick or cut into segments.

    Notes

    Granny Smith apples are the traditional choice for caramel apples. I used a variety of red apples in addition to some Granny Smith and they all were delicious.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 577kcal | Carbohydrates: 117g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 411mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 110g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 9.5mg | Calcium: 175mg | Iron: 0.6mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published: October 25, 2015

    After making this Caramel Apple recipe you’ll never buy them again!

    « 25+ Best Gluten-Free Halloween Recipes and DIY Fun
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Comments

    1. Annemarie LeBlanc says

      October 24, 2019 at 10:17 pm

      Fall is never the same without caramel apples! I like that your recipe calls for candies of any kind. That would make these caramel apples more delicious!

      Reply
    2. Danielle Fox says

      October 24, 2019 at 11:14 am

      This looks like my kids would drool making them. I love the added twist of using candy corn – such a perfect topping

      Reply
    3. Ruth I says

      October 24, 2019 at 3:20 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never made or tasted this before. It’s not common here but I always wanted to try this. I am sure we will love this!

      Reply
    4. Stefani Tolson says

      October 23, 2019 at 9:58 pm

      YUM! I love eating these when the caramel is still a little warm.

      Reply
    5. Laura says

      October 23, 2019 at 9:15 pm

      5 stars
      These are so fun! I love how they turned out!

      Reply
    6. Myrah Duque says

      October 23, 2019 at 8:05 pm

      This is such a great idea! I usually do the nuts version, and it never occurred to me to do the candy ones. THat’s one unique way to take the Halloween treats to the next level.

      Reply
    7. Erica says

      October 23, 2019 at 6:42 pm

      Caramel apples are such a fall staple! Yum! Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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