CANDY-COATED CARAMEL APPLE CREATIONS

Gourmet Candy-Coated Caramel Apple Creations is a classic fall treat made from in-season apples with a sweet candy shell of caramel, chocolate, and candy.

They’re as much fun to make as they are to eat!

There is a printable recipe card at the end of the post.

You see them in all the chocolate stores on vacation. There are display cases full of decadent caramel apples. You may also be shocked if you’ve priced or bought these candy caramel apples! They range in price from $7 to $20, depending on what and how much candy is on them.

GOURMET CANDY-COATED CARAMEL APPLE CREATIONS

You can make them for a fraction of the cost. I’ll teach you how. They’re really simple and fun to make. They make great gifts any time of year. As well, they double as a fun activity and party gift for sleep-overs, birthday parties, etc.

There are literally dozens of combinations of candy to personalize your caramel apple and no wrong way to do it!

You can save even more if you’ll stock up on chocolate candy after the holidays when they go on half price. After Christmas, I stock up on all the red candy and use it for Valentine’s Day.

WHAT APPLES ARE BEST FOR MY CARAMEL APPLES?

Tart apples like Granny Smith and Fuji pair wonderfully with the sweet toppings. However, you can use any variety of apples.

PROCESS FOR GOURMET CANDY-COATED CARAMEL APPLE CREATIONS

I’m sure if you make caramel from scratch you can save even more on these candy apples. However, I prefer to use these Caramel Apple Wraps or individually wrapped caramels.

Pop over to my article How to Melt Chocolate before you start this project. This candy melting pot makes it super simple to melt chocolate.

• First, wash the apples and allow them to dry thoroughly.
• You’ll want a large sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper to sit the apples on.
• Next, get all your candy out opened, and in bowls. If it needs to be opened, open it. If it needs to be crushed, crush it.
• I use Caramel Apple Wraps as mentioned above. They come with the sticks you’ll need. If you’re making caramel from scratch, you can purchase the popsicle sticks here. Now, go ahead and push each stick down into the apple far enough that it’s secure.
• After you have the sticks in all your apples, take the caramel wraps and wrap them from the bottom up. The caramel wraps are stretchy so you can pull them slightly if your apples are large. You can fold over any parts that you need to and press them so that they are relatively smooth. They don’t have to be perfect because you’ll cover it with chocolate.

NOW FOR THE CHOCOLATE

• Now, melt your chocolate. I work with one chocolate at a time because it cools quickly. You can melt it in a double broiler. However, I find it easier to melt in the microwave. I use a small bowl with tall sides that the apple will fit down into. Once you have the chocolate melted, dip one apple at a time into the chocolate. I cover them almost to the stick.
• Now sit the apple on the parchment paper and move on to the next apple. I dip half of my apples in dark chocolate then melted white chocolate and dipped the other half in white chocolate.
• You need to allow this first chocolate coat to dry before moving on. Most of the time by the time you get the last apple dipped the first apple will be dry.

FOR THE TOPPINGS

• For the chocolate drizzle on top, you will need zip-top freezer bags. I recommend freezer bags because regular and/or cheap no-name brands sometimes split at the seams. You don’t want that! Put about 1/2 cup of Wilton candy melts or other chocolate in your zip-top bag and melt it in the microwave. Smush it with your hands to make sure it’s melted completely. Next, snip a corner off. You want the opening to be small.
• Drizzle over the top of the apples in any kind of pleasing pattern.
• Immediately sprinkle nuts, crushed cookies, chocolate chips, or candy over the drizzle before it melts. Set it aside to harden.
• You can do as many layers and toppings as you want.

IDEAS GOURMET CANDY-COATED CARAMEL APPLE CREATIONS

• Apples
• Caramel Apple Wraps or Kraft individually wrapped caramels
• Wilton Candy melts in white chocolate and dark chocolate (1 bag will cover approximately 8-10 apples)
• White, milk, or dark chocolate chips
• Mini chocolate chips
• Mini M&Ms
• Walnuts, chopped
• Pecans, chopped
• Sunflower seeds
• Candy bars, crushed or cut small
• Coconut, toasted or plain
• Granola
• Reese’s pieces
• Oreo cookies, crushed (or any cookie)

CAN I USE KRAFT CARAMELS?

Yes! Here’s how!

• 1 (14 oz) package unwrapped individually wrapped caramels
• 2 tablespoons milk

Insert the craft stick into the top of each apple.

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat caramels and milk for 4 minutes. Stir and heat again for 1 minute. Allow the caramel to cool slightly. Roll each apple in the caramel sauce until coated. Set aside to cool and harden before proceeding with the chocolate layer. (continue with step 4 below)

Enjoy these too!

• Jello Apples
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• How to Make Chocolate Covered Spoons
• Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
• Martha Washington Candy
• Buckeye Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Spoons

Have fun and enjoy! The best way to eat an apple this fall!

You can also find great recipes at my Recipe Box or Weekend Potluck