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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Dessert / Candy and Treats / How to Make Caramel Apples

How to Make Caramel Apples

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 10/28/19Updated: 11/03/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

caramel apples on a cake plate

Learn how to make real homemade caramel apples with my best tips and instructions using homemade caramel.

caramel apples on a cake plate

Last week for a youth activity at church we made caramel apples.  It was the first time I had made them in 12 years. The last time I made them, this is what happened:

biting into a caramel apple

My sweet, 7-year-old daughter bit into one and it ripped a tooth right out of her mouth.  And the tooth wasn’t even loose!  I am not sure what recipe I used but I think I threw it away right then and there.  Since that day, I have only purchased apples at my favorite candy store, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

caramel apples on a plate

Well, after a somewhat positive experience last week with the church kids and a conversation with my friend Rhonda who made dozens for her daughter’s wedding reception, I am now confident in giving you the best caramel apple making tips.

Tips for Making Caramel Apples

Tip Number One

  • Rough up the apples with a fine grade of sandpaper.  This tip came straight from the experts on how to make caramel apples, Rocky Mountain! 
  • Wash the apple, insert the stick, and let it dry.
  • Place the apples on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
apples on a stick

Tip Number Two

Make your own caramel!  This recipe will give you a nice smooth caramel.   You will need a candy thermometer to make caramel.  And you need to make sure that you stir the pot constantly to prevent it from burning on the bottom.  I also use a nice heavy pan – an older pressure cooker of my mothers works great!

How to Make Caramel

We call caramel “patience candy” because you have to have patience stirring it and waiting for it to hit exactly the right temperature.  But your patience pays off!!

  • Combine brown sugar, corn syrup and butter.
  • After butter is melted stir in the milk
  • Cook to soft ball (234degrees), stirring constantly.
  • Stir in 1 tsp vanilla
  • Remove from heat
caramel cooking in a pan

How to Dip Caramel Apples

  • Before you begin dipping the apples, let the caramel cool a few minutes.  It will stick better to the apples when it isn’t hot off the stove. 
  • Dip the apples and let them cool. I like to leave some of the apples showing at the top. If you are in a pinch for time, you can slide the cookie sheet into the refrigerator. And if you have any left over caramel, you can pour it onto a buttered pan and cut it into candies!
apples dipped in caramel
  • Melt chocolate after the caramel has cooled, dip or drizzle with chocolate.
toppings for caramel apples

Toppings  Ideas

Quickly, after applying chocolate, sprinkle on your desired toppings.

  • mini chocolate chips,
  • mini M&M’s,
  • rainbow sprinkles,
  • crushed Oreo
  • chopped up Snickers
  • nuts
caramel apple with cookies and cream

Once you have added the toppings, return to the refrigerator to set up again.  Then finally the best step, eat and enjoy!

caramel apple with  nuts on it

My favorite caramel apple is this Apple Pie Caramel Apple.  If you don’t want to dip an entire apple try these Apple Pie Caramel Apple Slices.  And aren’t these Monster Caramel Apples darling!

caramel apple drizzled with choclate

Caramel and Apple is a perfect combo – check out these other recipes:

  • Bundt Cake
  • Caramelized Apples with Dulce de Leche
  • Caramel Apple Popcorn
  • Apple Pudding Cake

For all of my other favorite kitchen products and tools visit my Amazon Store. 

Did you know I wrote a cookbook?  Check out the Holiday Slow Cooker Cookbook for 100 delicious recipes.

Caramel Apple Recipe

4.86 from 7 votes
caramel apples on a cake plate

Caramel Apples

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
This delicious caramel sauce is the perfect recipe for dipping caramel apples.
serves: 10 apples
Prep:5 minutes
Cook:15 minutes
Total:20 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  • Combine the first 3 ingredients
  • After butter is melted stir in the milk
  • Cook to soft ball (234degrees)
  • Stir constantly
  • Stir in 1 tsp vanilla
  • Remove from heat
  • Dip apples into the caramel, then roll in nuts if desired
  • Let set up on a cookie sheet
  • Place in refrigerator if needed
  • After completely cooled you can drizzle with chocolate and cover with toppings
  • Suggested toppings: sprinkles, crushed Oreos, mini M & M’s, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, crushed candy bars.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 345kcal (17%) Carbohydrates: 69g (23%) Fat: 9g (14%) Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) Cholesterol: 24mg (8%) Sodium: 114mg (5%) Potassium: 58mg (2%) Sugar: 68g (76%) Vitamin A: 285IU (6%) Calcium: 44mg (4%) Iron: 0.3mg (2%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
caramel apples on a cake plate
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Originally posted October 28, 2008

caramel apples on a cake plate
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  1. JEN says

    Posted on 10/6 at 11:36 am

    I cannot wait to try the sandpaper trick. I made red candy apples and the candy slipped right off the apple. I am thinking it was the wax on the apples.

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne Wilkes says

      Posted on 10/7 at 10:07 am

      hope it helps!

      Reply
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