It’s so much fun to dip your own caramel apples for Halloween! Follow this easy video tutorial to learn the basics, and get you started with 5 yummy toppings to choose from. A special seasonal treat your loved ones will look forward to year after year!
I just can’t believe how quickly Fall is whizzing by! Isn’t it crazy?? I was looking at my calendar the other day and I was like “what?” It’s almost Halloween, people!
My son has been planning his costume for over a month already. He found a YouTube video where a guy makes a mask out of a flower pot and car sponge, and we had to rush right out and buy all the supplies. He pesters me about it almost every day: “Mom, can we work on the mask today?” And I keep putting him off because I have a sickness, and I can’t take action on anything that’s not totally last minute.
Well, I really can’t put it off much longer. We are just a couple of weeks away from the big day, my friends. And besides costumes, we are going to need candy to pass out and lots of treats for parties!
Have you ever tried dipping your own caramel apples? With homemade caramel and everything? It’s not that hard at all and really kinda fun. Plus there are so many different ways you can jazz them up.
It all begins with just a few basic ingredients that I bet you already have on hand. Cream, butter, salt, vanilla, sugar, corn syrup, and apples. I used Honeycrisps because they’re my favorite, but I think these would be totally adorable with those bitty little Lady Apples too!
For toppings, I’m suggesting a few crowd-pleasing favorites: Oreos, chopped nuts, mini m&m’s, festive sprinkles, and chopped peanut butter cups. But you can let your imagination run wild! I think these would be fantastic with crushed pretzels, or gingersnaps, or even dipped a second time in melted chocolate!
But really, the caramel is so good just by itself. Just a good old fashioned caramel apple. Like I remember from when I was a young ‘un 😉
These are caramel apples- not candy apples. I’m talking soft, chewy caramel. Not the hard candy kind that’ll break a tooth. This is soft, creamy, and buttery, with a warm vanilla backnote and a really rich flavor.
Check out the video below (it’s just under the recipe card) to see how simple and fun the process can be 🙂
Caramel Apples
It's so much fun to dip your own caramel apples for Halloween! Follow this easy video tutorial to learn the basics, and get you started with 5 yummy toppings to choose from. A special seasonal treat your loved ones will look forward to year after year!
Yield: about 6 apples, with a little caramel left over
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 6 apples, washed and dried thoroughly
- crushed oreos, chopped peanuts, festive sprinkles, mini m&m's, and chopped mini peanut butter cups, for garnish
Directions:
- Place the cream, butter, and salt in a small pot and heat until the butter is melted, the cream is steaming, and the salt is dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla.
- Place the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a larger pot, and place over medium high heat. Cook, swirling the pot occasionally, until a rich amber color. Pour in the cream mixture, and whisk together as it bubbles down. Continue to cook the caramel on medium heat, until the temperature measures 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
- Push cookie sticks straight down the center of the apples. Dip into warm caramel, scraping off any excess from the bottom of the apples with a spoon. While the coating is still warm, coat with assorted garnishes.
For best results, chop any chocolate toppings and freeze in a single, even layer, before adhering to the warm caramel.
Right? Now get going on it, Halloween will be here in a flash!
Allie, I love this post!!! we just got caramel apples on Sunday at the farm while picking put pumpkins. . there’s nothing more quintessential “fall” and Halloween to me than caramel apples!!! I love it!
I totally agree! I so look forward to caramel apples every year at this time. And I had a blast making them myself!
oh my gawd, I LOVE the video!!! and the music!!!!!
Thank you so much Alice! I’m so happy you like it! 😀
Would work for Halloween, too! Gotta try them soon.
Yes these are one of my favorite Halloween treats for sure! So glad you like them too Amber 🙂
Caramel apples are my favorite Halloween treat, but I’ve never made them from scratch. I LOVE your video, and now I have some serious kitchen envy!
Lol thank you Natasha! We are actually in the (slow) process of a shoestring-budget reno. I just recently got that new oven/range and before that we had all the cabinetry painted. It used to be dark brown and kinda dreary. I’m so much happier in there now! Thank you so much for the sweet comment!
I want fall to stay forever! Love the vid and these classic autumn treats 🙂
Me too Medha! I’m dreading winter. But the fall has been so lovely so far! Thank you so much for the awesome feedback. Hope you’re having a great day!
Ok Allie, these look scrumptious and that video….LOVE it! The music is perfect! Awesome job! Bet the boys loved these!
Thank you so much Mary Ann! I had a lot of fun making the video- and I had to make them twice so we are still snacking our way through them. Not a bad problem to have, lol!
This looks like so much fun! I have never made my own caramel apples before. I had no idea it was so easy! Also, you’ll have to share pics of your sons’ costumes! The mask sounds so creative!
Thanks Nora! It is a super creative idea I must admit- but I fear our execution will not quite do it justice! Have a great day, love! PS- I love seeing your kitchen reno coming along on IG!
I love his dedication to his costume!! Hope it turns out great. The video and easy recipe are amazing!!!
Thank you so much sweetheart! I hope your first day back in the lab is going smoothly. Thinking of you and Elliot today <3
Oh Allie, caramel apples remind me so much of being a kid and running around in the leaves! They’re one of my favorite fall treats, but I have never seen them look so beautiful! Just look at all of those colorful toppings! So long boring nut toppings, hello sprinkles, and chocolate, and cookies, and m&m’s!
Yay! Don’t you just love when food can trigger a great memory like that? Thank you so much for all the sweet compliments, dear. My hubby and kids really loved the candy toppings, but at the risk of sounding like a granny, my favorite is still the boring nuts!
Awwww I love love love your video. Did I say that clearly? And Halloween? I just can’t wait to see little kids running around with fun costumes. And these apples will be everyone’s favorites! Can you say no to caramel-y apples? Yum!
I certainly cannot! They are a perennial favorite for me. So happy you like too Linda! Yay Halloween!
These caramel apples are so fun, Allie! Love the topping ideas! Fantastic – I’m going to try making these for Halloween! 😀
Oh yay! I hope you enjoy them Jess! They are a family favorite around here 🙂
Omg, girlfriend, this post is rockin’! Totally spook-tacular! I looooove the video!!!! The music, how it’s shot, the set up and especially the end! You are so stinking cute!! Pinned! P.s. those apples look perfect! Xo
Thank you so much Cheyanne! You are just the sweetest. I’m so happy you liked it! I’m really starting to have a lot of fun with making videos. It’s so great to get such positive feedback 😀
Allie, I can’t wait to see your son’s costume–I hope you share on Insta! We have an annual caramel apple party and I’m excited to try your caramel. These apples look SO good!
An annual caramel apple party? That is the best thing I have ever heard. You guys are so legit! Thank you Amy!
Love the vid! how long did you cook the sugar/syrup/water mixture before checking the temp on the candy thermometer?
Great question Kelli! I pretty much pop that thermometer in just as soon as the bubbling calms down enough. Hope that helps! And thank you so much for the great feedback 🙂
I LOVED this video Allie! That was so cool. I want to go home and make this RIGHT now. You are so clever!!!
Aw, really?? Thank you so much Jessica- that is seriously the nicest compliment ever. <3
Fall is definitely flying by wayyyy too fast! I don’t like it! haha
Gosh, you know I can’t even remember the last time I had caramel apples! I think it’s time to make some! These look fantastic!
I don’t like it either Ashley! I’m not ready to start freezing my buns off lol! So glad you like the caramel apples- for me it wouldn’t be October without them 😉
This recipe looks so amazing! And the video is very helpful, I can’t wait to try it 😀
Thank you so much Tricia! My family really loved these! I hope you enjoy too! Thanks for reading and for the sweet comment 🙂
I’ve been seeing so many amazing caramel apple recipes and yours are just as amazing. Great job!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Thank you so much Eric! I just love caramel apples, and I love all the creative spins we are seeing out there in the blogosphere!
These caramel apples look beautiful ! Love the video!
Thank you so much Mira! I had a lot of fun making all of it 🙂
I was totally entranced by your video!! SO CUTE! The music…awesome. And these look insanely good! Can I come visit?? 🙂
You are welcome any time, my dear! Thank you so much for the awesome feedback! Hope you’re having an amazing time at Chopped Con!
Caramel apples truly are so fun! I love the various toppings. Irresistible!
Happy Wednesday Allie!
Happy day Melanie! Thank you so much for stopping by and for the sweet comment 🙂
Best Caramel Apples recipe ever! That video was so cute (and SCARY!). I was waiting for a monster to show up any second and eat all the caramel apples (THE HORROR!). Great job!
Now THAT would have been a really fun idea! Thank you so much Meggan!
You have me wanting to make candy apples! Love the video! As always, a job well done!
Thank you so much Jen! I’m so happy you like it. Thanks for the sweet comment!
Caramel apples are a must this time of year! Love that you make your own caramel!
I do! I just love how buttery homemade caramel tastes! Thank you so much Jessica! 🙂
Oh gosh I am so in love with this video Allie. You are seriously the cutest ever!!!! And these look insane! I have my name on that Oreo one!
You’re an Oreo girl? My older son is crazy about them! I kinda am too actually 🙂 Thank you so much sweetie! I hope you’re enjoying your time in Mississippi- give your mama and big mama and big daddy a hug from me!
I LOVED your video, especially that music, so fun and festive 😉 Also, I always screw up the caramel, I just can’t help myself from getting in there and stirring it all over the place and making clumps, so great to have the video. And I’m sure that if you’re handing out these apples on Halloween, you’re going to be the most popular house on the street 😉
Hehe, thanks so much Denise! I really didn’t stir it much at all. I had some bubbles, but no clumps. For me the biggest trick is just getting and keeping the proper temperature. That candy thermometer is an essential!
I love all the toppings, I actually made some caramel dipped pears that I am enjoying now!
That’s so funny Katalina- so did I! They are actually part of an upcoming post. So delish! Thanks hon!
Because I can’t think of a professional way to say this 🙂 Allie, you are goals. Wowza, this post is amazing! The lighting and setting for your photos couldn’t be more perfect. And that caramel? Bring it on.
Lol thank you Mary Frances! You are such a sweetheart and your unprofessional compliment absolutely means the world to me! xo
Caramel apples and haunted houses are two projects I always take on in October. It gets me in the festive mood!
I love that Nicole! Hope you’re enjoying the season so far! Thanks so much 🙂
Ahh all those variations look so good! I’ll take one of each! I really need to try making caramel apples this year, if only so I can cover mine in rainbow sprinkles. Love the video too <3
Caramel apples are a beloved fall favorite. This version is easy to make and is a project the whole family will enjoy. I love decorating mine with my favorite candies, such as mini chocolate chips.
Thanks so much Gwen!