The Apple Pie Caramel Apple

Look at this beauty. So simple and delicious. 

Making them isn't hard, once you know the process, well my process.

Here are your ingredients needed to make these autumn time (or any time) treats

Granny Smith apples, some good caramel, wooden dowels (or popsicle sticks), white chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar and parchment paper.

First, let's talk about caramel.

I highly suggest using a good quality caramel, like this Peter's brand which can be purchased at kitchen stores such as Orsen Gygi or Kitchen Kneads. I buy a 5lb loaf and that will make about 20-25 apples, depending on the size of the apples.

The regular wrapped caramel are totally acceptable though and a good option for making just a couple at a time. Just have to unwrap them all :)

Start by washing your apples well and drying them. Then place the wooden dowels into the apple.

You'll want Granny Smith green apples because they're a nice tart flavor that compliments the sweet caramel and toppings. They also are good and crisp, not mushy.

Cut up your brick of caramel into smaller pieces, using a little less caramel than you think you'll need.

(you can always melt more as needed)

Simply melt your caramel in a microwave-safe bowel in 30-seconds increments until smooth. Like this:

Take a rubber scraper, preferably a curved one, and just apply the caramel to the outside of the apple, scraping downward to remove excess and smooth the caramel.

Then just smooth the caramel a bit with your hand so it's nice and smooth and pretty. If you want plain caramel apples, you're done. Just place them on parchment or wax paper until set up.

If you want to take it to the next level and go for the "Apple Pie" flavor apple,

Melt some white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowel until smooth.

Just dip your apple, swirling it a bit to get up the sides and edges

Then remove excess with a rubber scraper by scraping downward...makes it look pretty too.

Just place on parchment paper until they set up completely. 

The chocolate takes much longer to harder, so you can put the the parchment on a cookie sheet and stick them in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to make them set up quicker.

If you want to give them away, (but WHY would you?)

They look very cute and festive in a cellophane bag.

Also, you may choose to do any topping you choose. I personally enjoy the white chocolate and cinnamon sugar combo the best, but I did make some a few days later with a friend and we did white chocolate with crushed oreo, which was good too. I also drizzled plain milk chocolate over one too.

The possibilities are endless!

-Jenny