Want to make Caramel Apples at home? It is so simple when you use this Easy Caramel Apples Recipe. Make a simple apple with caramel on top or make gourmet style apples with lots of delicious toppings.
Easy Caramel Apples Recipe
When it comes to making caramel apples, these apples could not be simpler. Simply, melt, dip decorate and enjoy. Whether you are making these caramel apples for the fall season for carnivals, cold weather, or just for fun, these apples are perfect for the holidays or just plain fun.
Even if you have never made them before, you cannot go wrong with this recipe and simple caramel apple tips for the BEST apples ever. Once you have made these caramel apples, you should also try my Pumpkin Spice Caramel Apple and my Oreo Caramel Apple Recipe.
What You Need To Make Caramel Apples
Get the full list of ingredients, with measurements, and step-by-step instructions at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.
- Small granny smith apples
- Kraft caramel bits
- Half and half or milk
- Oreo
- Graham crackers, crushed
- Popsicle sticks
- Cooking Spray
- Wax Paper/Parchment Paper
RELATED RECIPES: How to Make Caramel Apple Fluff, Easy to Make Caramel Apple Sheet Cake, Quick and Easy Sweet and Crunchy Twix Apple Salad, Air Fryer Apple Crisp and 44 Mouthwatering Apple Recipes You’ll Love
FAQ About The Recipe
HOW TO MAKE PERFECT CARAMEL APPLES
PREP THE APPLES: Place wax paper on a cutting board or flat surface (like a sheet pan) and make space for it in your refrigerator. Spray wax or parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. Remove the stem from the apples and discard.
Carefully press a popsicle stick into the center of each apple. Set aside.
MAKE THE CARAMEL: In a small but deep microwave safe bowl, add caramel bits and half and half. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Stir until completely smooth and melted.
Let caramel stand for 3-5 minutes to cool a bit (because it will be scalding!).
DIPPING APPLES: Wipe apples with a paper towel to remove any condensation. Dip clean and dry apples into caramel, turning evenly, and place on the prepared wax paper for plain caramel apples.
MAKE THE APPLES GOURMET: If adding cookies or graham crackers, dip into crushed crumbs immediately after covering with caramel.
Place apples onto parchment paper.
Continue to dip all apples and immediately refrigerate until firm, about 15-20 minutes total.
TOPPINGS FOR CARAMEL APPLES
Have you ever been in a fudge and apple shop (or heck, even Disney World) where the smell of hot caramel just hit you the moment you stepped in?
Those amazing candy shops typically contain “gourmet apples”, which consist of more than traditional chocolate or caramel dipped apples for something a bit extra – candy, marshmallows, extra dipped chocolate, cookie crumbles, Oreo – there really is no limit on how or what you dip your apple in.
The only catch is to make sure your dipped bowls are prepped before you caramel dip so you can immediately use the stickiness of your hot caramel to make the extras stick.
I suggest using a deep bowl if you want to really bring up where the crumbs fall on the apple quickly.
IDEAS FOR DIPPED “GOURMET” APPLES
Here are a few ideas on what to dip the apples into:
- Mini Marshmallows
- Colored Sugars
- Drizzle with white or milk chocolate on top of apple
- Candy pieces like Reese’s Pieces and M&M’s
- Cookie crumbs – Oreo is a super favorite
- Nuts – pieces of peanuts, walnuts or pecans
- Cereal – a super fun idea for kids are bits of their favorite cereal pieces
- Salty – pretzels, potato chips or Pringles
- Shaved Coconut
- Colored Sprinkles
CUTTING AND STORING CARAMEL APPLES
- Cutting Apples for Eating – There are very few people that can easily bite into the side of a caramel apple. The best way to serve a dipped apple is to cut the apple into slices and then serve the pieces.
- How to Store Left over Apples – Keep apples stored in the fridge until eaten.
More Delicious Carnival Treat Recipes
- Easy to Make Deep-Fried Oreos Recipe
- Surprisingly Easy “Fried” Ice Cream
- Easy Funnel Cake Recipe
- Bacon Mozzarella Keto Onions Rings Recipe
Easy Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- 6 small granny smith apples washed and refrigerated
- 1 package 11 oz, caramel bits
- 2 tablespoons half and half or milk
- 8 Oreos crushed
- 4 graham crackers crushed
- 6 popsicle sticks
Directions
- Place parchment paper on a cutting board or sheet pan and make space for it in your refrigerator.
- Spray paper with nonstick cooking spray to make sure caramel doesn’t stick. Set aside.
- Remove the stem from the green apples and discard in trash.
- Carefully press a popsicle stick into the center of each apple. Set apples into fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes to get cold.
- In a small but deep microwave safe bowl, add caramel bits and half and half. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring caramel after 1 minute. Stir until completely smooth and melted. Let stand for about 3 minutes to bring the heat down a bit.
- Remove apples from fridge and wipe apples down with a paper towel to remove any condensation or moisture. Apples should be cold and dry.
- Dip apples into melted caramel, turning until all sides are covered, and place on the prepared paper for plain caramel apples. If making a gourmet apple, like cookies or graham crackers, dip caramel apple into crushed crumbs immediately after covering with caramel.
- Place onto prepared paper.
- Continue to dip all apples and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to set caramel or until firm.
- Refrigerate any leftover apples.
Notes
• KEEP APPLES COLD: The second must-do is to refrigerate or freeze your apples for at least 20 minutes so they are cold and just before you dip them, wipe them dry with a paper towel to remove any condensation or humidity. This helps keep down dripping caramel and avoid a pudding of caramel at the bottom of your apple. This is because a cold apple helps set the hot caramel quicker. Additionally, after you dip all apples, put the apples BACK IN THE FRIDGE TO SET so the caramel doesn’t slide off. The key to all of this is setting the caramel with the cold.
• COOLING DOWN CARAMEL: If your caramel starts to harden while you making tons of apples (And as it cools, it does harden) simple reheat the dipping caramel.
• NO WAX APPLES: Your apples should be clear of wax prior to making them – this helps prevent slide. You can buy apples without wax OR dip them into boiling water for about a minute to remove any wax and dry off.
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