For the love of caramel…
Wow…that is the first word that comes to mind when I describe these delicious caramel apples.
Earlier this week I did a post on a healthier caramel corn that is made with GMO-free corn and is made without corn syrup, refined sugars or unhealthy fats. Sound interesting? Head on over HERE to check out this great recipe!
When I was making this homemade caramel for the caramel corn, I immediately knew that I was going to tackle caramel apples next. I mean why not carry the caramel theme all week long right? 🙂
Tips to ensure good caramel apples!
So for this recipe, I wanted to create more of a candy/caramel apple.
In order to create a delicious caramel apple, it takes a little time on the stove to reach the desired temperature (248°F) to create a delicious, rich caramel.
It is not hard to make caramel apples, it only takes about 20 minutes…but it takes some patience and you can’t rush making caramel or it will burn.
A simple easy caramel dip might be the answer for you!
If you are wanting to make a simple caramel dip, rather than a caramel apple, be sure to check out my 3 ingredient 3-minute caramel recipe!
Just slice up your apples and dip them right into the caramel dip…yum!
Substitutions most likely won’t work in this recipe!
There are a couple of key things I want to note about this recipe. I am not sure how substitutions would work for this recipe.
- The heavy cream could be substituted out for half and half and maybe even coconut milk (however I have not tried that yet).
- The sweeteners are kind of important to create a great caramel. Organic Sucanat Brown Sugar is the sweetener I choose because it has a terrific caramel flavor already and it is the most natural, unrefined brown sugar option.
- I am not sure that stevia or even coconut sugar would work for this. I have a hard time getting coconut sugar to dissolve (even in hot water), so for me I didn’t even try that.
- Now typically I encourage everyone to use Raw Honey, but there is no need for it in this recipe, just use regular honey. You will be boiling this mixture for 10-12 minutes and raw honey certainly wouldn’t be raw after heating it for that long.
- Another thing to note is that once the caramel is ready, work fast. It cools quickly and will thicken making it a little more difficult to work with. Don’t worry about a perfect looking caramel apple. If you notice on mine, I have caramel everywhere. It is ok, that is what makes them so irresistible!
Enjoy this treat and let me know if you should have any questions in the comment section below the recipe!
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Description
Here is a healthier version of a favorite fall time treat, the caramel apples!
Ingredients
- 6–8 small apples
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sucanat
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 tsp unrefined sea salt
- nuts of choice (optional)
- popsicle sticks or lollipop sticks for apples
- muffin liners to set your caramel apples in
Instructions
- Refrigerate your apples for several hours. Having very cold apples will help your caramel stick to the apples.
- In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat up cream to just before it starts to boil (when the bubbles just start to form on the edge of the pan).
- Add honey, sucanat and salt and stir to dissolve and bring to a boil stirring continuously.
- Stirring continuously, allow to boil for about 10-12 minutes (you want the thermometer to read 248º F). You must continuously stir or your caramel will burn. Do not stop stirring the entire time!
- Once the temperature has reached 248º F, carefully put the pan into an ice water bath (ice water in a large bowl) being very careful not to get any water into the caramel and pan. This stops the caramel from cooking any longer.
- Leave in the ice water bath and stir until it thickens slightly (about 10-15 seconds).
- Remove apples from refrigerator.
- Place sticks into apples and dip your first apple into the caramel coating the apple as quickly as possible.
- Put the caramel apples into the muffin liners and allow them to set.
- Work fast, the caramel can thicken up quickly. If it does, put it back onto the burner for about 10-15 seconds to thin it out a bit.
- Do remaining apples and enjoy! Apples are best eaten right away!
FAQs
The apple you are eating provides numerous healthy benefits you won't get from other sweet treats like candy and cookies. In addition, caramel apples offer protein, antioxidant phytonutrients, and dietary fiber. The average caramel apple has 160 calories and about 28 grams of sugar.
What type of caramel apple is best? ›
Best Apples for Caramel Apples
You can use any variety of apple you enjoy such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp. Granny Smith are a popular choice for caramel apples because they're tart, which pairs perfectly with sweet buttery caramel.
Is homemade caramel better than store bought? ›
Pros: Homemade caramel sauce is no joke 1,000 times better than the store-bought variety. Cons: Caramel can be a little tricky to clean. If you get any stubborn sugar or caramel stuck to your pot, simply pour some water into it and bring it to a boil. It'll dissolve anything!
What is the difference between candied apples and caramel apples? ›
Although they are quite similar, the biggest difference between candy apples and caramel apples is that candy apples have a hard candy coating made from sugar and corn syrup while caramel apples have a caramel coating made from brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and corn syrup.
What's the healthiest apple to eat? ›
Red Delicious Apples
They've got more polyphenolic compounds than most other apples, with most of the nutrition in the skin – so be sure not to peel them before chowing down. Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants.
Is apples and caramel healthy for weight loss? ›
Fiber is pivotal for digestive health, satiety, and blood sugar regulation. Caramel apples, being primarily composed of apples, serve as a notable source of dietary fiber, aiding in digestion and weight management.
How long do homemade caramel apples last? ›
Storage Instructions:
To Store: These beautiful dipped caramel apples will last for about 2 weeks, stored in the refrigerator. They make great gifts for teachers, friends and neighbors! I like to wrap them in a piece of cellophane with a cute ribbon.
Should I refrigerate a caramel apple? ›
The Best Way To Store Caramel Apples In The Fridge
For store-bought apples, if you don't plan on eating them right away, it's best to keep them in their original container and put them in the fridge. In general, caramel apples can last for up to one week when refrigerated. The same goes for homemade caramel apples.
Can you leave caramel apples out overnight? ›
Caramel apples stored at room temperature for extended periods can pose risk. People should not eat caramel apples that have not been stored at refrigerated temperatures, according to a food scientist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
Why shouldn't you stir sugar when making caramel? ›
Like dry caramel, you want to gently move the sugar mixture in that same side-to-side paintbrush-like fashion until the sugar dissolves. Then, as soon as the mixture comes to a boil, it should not be stirred, as the agitation can cause crystallization.
If caramels are too soft, that means the temperature didn't get high enough. Again place the caramel back into a sauce pan with a couple of tablespoons of water and heat to 244°F. If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can test with a cold water test.
What do British people call caramel apples? ›
Candy apples (or toffee apples in Commonwealth English) are whole apples covered in a sugar candy coating, with a stick inserted as a handle.
What is caramel apple granny? ›
Product description. Buttery caramel and toffee studded custard hug fresh Granny Smith apples piled high in our melt-in-the-mouth shortbread crust.
What is the best caramel to buy for caramel apples? ›
Store-bought caramels – I recommend using Werther's Chewy Caramels for best results. Some of the other readily available brands don't taste as good and don't set up as well.
How much fat is in a caramel apple? ›
Happy Apples Caramel Apples (1 apple) contains 35g total carbs, 31g net carbs, 13g fat, 6g protein, and 232 calories.
Are the apples at McDonald's healthy? ›
Low in Calories: McDonald's apple slices are relatively low in calories, which makes them a good option for those seeking a low-calorie snack. Nutrient-Rich: Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamins (such as vitamin C), and various antioxidants.
How are you supposed to eat a caramel apple? ›
Place your knife about an inch from the stick and slice down through the caramel apple. You should have a nice round slice, and the seeds from the core should still be on the stick portion. Repeat your first slice on the opposite side of the caramel apple, placing the knife about an inch from the stick.
How long do you have to eat a caramel apple? ›
We recommend refrigerating your Gourmet Caramel Apples as soon as you receive them. This is the best way to maintain their firmness and taste. How long are Caramel Apples good for in the fridge? When chilled, our Caramel Apples will be delicious for up to three weeks.
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