Decadent homemade caramel apples are the best with a gooey caramel coating and fun gourmet toppings! Easy to make for a fall dessert with these step-by-step instructions.
Apples with homemade caramel is a favorite combination. We also love these Disney caramel apples, apple cider caramels and caramel apple cider during fall!
Table of Contents
Easy Homemade Caramel Apples
When I think of fall, I immediately think of apple desserts and homemade caramel apples. It’s a must to enjoy at least once during the fall season! When I need a quick alternative, I will make this easy toffee apple dip and serve it with sliced apples.
We usually always go apple picking at the apple orchard and look for fun ways to use them. Making a homemade caramel apple recipe is the perfect solution! They’re simple to make and are a great activity for the family to enjoy together.
Ingredients Needed
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Apples: You can’t have caramel apples without the apples. Just make sure they are thoroughly washed before using.
- Caramel: I love using Peter’s caramel as it melts so easily and makes the perfect caramel apple.
- Melting wafers: Melt the wafers to go on apples on the outside. Use either white or chocolate wafers. The melted chocolate will help keep the toppings sticking.
- Sticks: You can use either popsicle sticks, craft sticks, or lollipop sticks for the top of the apples. Remove the stem and place the stick straight up and down into the stem.
How to Make Caramel Apples
- Wash apples and let dry. Use Fit fruit cleaner and a scrub brush. Scrub/wash the apples with warm water for about 30 seconds, then place on a towel and let dry completely. When apples are dry, place sticks in the center of the apple.
- Melt the caramel. Place Peter’s caramel in a microwavable bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, and then cook for an additional minute. Add more time if needed, until it’s totally melted. You can also place it in a slow cooker and allow it to melt that way.
- Dip the apples. Dip apples in the caramel, leaving about one inch around the top. Hold up the apples to allow any excess to drip off and then use a spatula to scrape it off the bottom.
- Set. If adding toppings, immediately roll dipped apples in the coating of choice. If dipping in chocolate or adding a chocolate drizzle, caramel must set completely first. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set. Place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to set faster, but do not store in the fridge!
Helpful Tips
- Wash your apples thoroughly. Use FIT cleaner, a scrubber, and warm water to remove the wax. You could also use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly remove the wax from the apple.
- Dry the apples completely. Any wax or moisture left on the apple will prevent the caramel from sticking.
- Prepare ingredients beforehand. Get all your ingredients ready before making the caramel, because you’ll want to move quickly once you dip them.
- Use high-quality caramel. My favorite type to use is Peter’s or Werther’s caramel. I usually use half of the block for 12 apples and wrap the rest for later. You can also use a from scratch homemade caramel recipe.
- Let caramel cool before dipping. Allow the easy caramel recipe to cool for a few minutes before dipping the apples.
- Allow excess caramel to drip off. Once you dip your apple, hold it up for about 20 seconds to allow any excess caramel to drip off. Then scrape off the bottom with a spatula.
Gourmet Caramel Apple Toppings
- Sea salt: Give these apples a sweet and salty apple surprise! It is a classic flavor and everyone loves how simple it is.
- Drizzled chocolate: A chocolate lover’s dream! It melts perfectly and always looks so decadent and tastes delicious!
- Chopped nuts: Pecans, almonds, peanuts, or walnuts are all great ways to add a crunchy, sweet, and salty taste!
- Candy: Use mini M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, chopped Snickers, crushed Butterfingers, Reese’s pieces, chopped peanut butter cups or candy corn.
- Crushed Oreos, pretzels or toffee: Add on the warm caramel or coat apples in melted chocolate then add crushed Oreos, pretzels or toffee.
- Apple pie: Dip in melted white chocolate then dust with cinnamon sugar and graham cracker crumbs.
- Sprinkles: Every kid to adult loves the bright and cheerful sprinkles attached to the apples.
More recipes with caramel to try include salted caramel chocolate chip cookies, salted caramel butter bars and microwave caramels.
More Delicious Apple Recipes
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Caramel Apples Recipe
Equipment
- Caramel Apple Sticks
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Peter's caramel
- 12-14 medium green apples
- 1 cup chocolate melting wafers , optional
- 1 cup white chocolate melting wafers , optional
Instructions
- Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and lightly butter the paper. Set aside.
- Wash and dry apples. Use Fit fruit cleaner and a scrubber. Scrub/wash apples with warm water for about 30 seconds each. Place on a towel and let completely dry. Once the apples have dried, place sticks in the center of each apple.
- Melt caramel. Place 2 pounds caramel in a microwavable bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for an additional minute. Add additional time, if needed, until melted. You can also place the caramel in a slow cooker and let melt.
- Dip apples. Dip 12 -14 apples in the caramel, leaving about one inch around the top. Hold up the apples to let any excess caramel drip off. Use a spatula to scrape the caramel off the bottom and place it on the baking sheet. If you are not dipping in chocolate, coat with any preferred toppings immediately or leave plain. Chill 5 to 10 minutes until set and remove to the counter.
- Add chocolate if using. If dipping in chocolate, let the caramel set completely before dipping. Melt the chocolate according to package directions. Either dip the caramel apples in the chocolate or drizzle over the top. Add any desired toppings and let set.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
Apples have a waxy coating around them that prevents the caramel from sticking if it is not washed thoroughly and dried. Make sure to have the apples cold to help prevent the caramel from falling off the apples when applied.
Caramel is normally a thicker sauce but for dipping caramel apples in you may want to thin the sauce beforehand or drizzle it overtop chocolate-dipped apples. Simply add hot water or cream to the mixture and it will thin out.
It’s really up to you, but I suggest using a firm apple that is a little tart to cut through the sweetness of the caramel, such as Granny Smith apples, Fuji, or Honeycrisp.
Apples dipped in caramel are best eaten within one to three days. If you live in a warm or humid climate, store in the refrigerator.
Categorized as: American, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Halloween, No-Bake
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My kids and I had so much fun making these together! Our favorite fall treat we make every year.
My kids had so much fun making these with me and they loved eating them afterwards.
We made these on Saturday because it was col and rainy here and my kids LOVED them! These bring back so many memories, thank you!
Just perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Caramel apples bring back so many great memories :-)
This reminds me of my childhood so much!!! Bookmarking this for Halloween – thanks!
Hope you enjoy! :)
These are so much fun (not to mention delicious!) we love to use different toppings like nuts or sprinkles too. The kids love it :)
I’m so glad your kids loved them! :)
Definitely an excitement for kids. Best for their parties. These look so cute and creative and best that apples are so healthy too.
Love this idea! What a fun way to serve apples!
Caramel apples are my favorite! Great recipe – love that we were able to make them different ways. We’ll make them again on Halloween! Thank you
My kids and I had so much fun making these! They turned out great, thanks for the recipe!
These are great – and I am definitely trying the apple pie caramel apple! Yum!
Caramel apples are one of my favorite treats, especially when they’re covered in chocolate and other treats as well! Yum! I love the white apple pie “Mickey” you made — so cute! Great tips here.
Such a brilliant post! My favourite coating is nuts but my kids prefer crushed oreos. No surprise there!