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
You and your entire family can enjoy a delicious caramel apple and feel good about it. Why? 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.
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.
How many calories are in a homemade caramel apple? ›
Though the size of the apple and the thickness of caramel can vary, caramel coating usually amounts to the equivalent of three or four caramel candies. This adds 120 to 160 calories to your caramel apple adventure. A simple caramel apple has 200 to 280 calories, about the same as a candy bar.
What is the difference between candied apples and caramel apples? ›
Candy apples, with their distinctive red candy shell, are usually made with a flavored boiled sugar recipe, while Caramel apples are covered with melted caramel. There is a huge textural difference between the two, one with a hard outer shell and the other with a gooey exterior.
Are caramel apples healthy for weight loss? ›
Aiding in Weight Loss
Apples are low in calories compared to many other snack choices available. Choose one over an unhealthier option and the journey to weightloss can start out well. A medium apple has roughly 95 calories. A 100-calorie snack is the goal, making this a perfect choice.
What's the healthiest apple to eat? ›
Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants. They also have more calcium than other apples. Not only do they taste sweet, but they also encourage healthy weight loss and balance out the bacteria in your colon.
How long do homemade caramel apples last? ›
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? ›
Do not leave caramel apples out at room temperature. If you make them at home and eat them right away, candy or caramel apples won't be contaminated with listeria. If a candy or caramel apple stays refrigerated, it won't be able to grow the harmful bacteria, either.
How long do homemade caramel apples last in the fridge? ›
How long are Caramel Apples good for in the fridge? When chilled, our Caramel Apples will be delicious for up to three weeks. Whenever you want to enjoy one, simply remove it from the fridge and let it return to room temperature before slicing and serving.
Happy Apples Caramel Apples (1 apple) contains 35g total carbs, 31g net carbs, 13g fat, 6g protein, and 232 calories.
How many calories in a large caramel apple? ›
So, it's a safe bet to say that the basic caramel apple is 100 calories of apple, plus 200 calories of caramel = 300 calories. This guess is backed up by the Nutritionix calorie count for a caramel apple as 304 calories. For that you get some fiber, a bit of Vitamin A, and some potassium along with your sweet.
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.
Why did my caramel apples get hard? ›
Cook it too long and you'll create caramel apples that are rock hard with a glass-like candy coating!
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? ›
McDonald's Apple Slices are a wholesome, tasty side made from real apples. Specially selected varieties mean our apple slices are always crisp and juicy, making for a tasty snack with 15 calories per labelled serving. Enjoy it as a Snack or Side to your meal!
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? ›
Our Caramel Apples will last for 14 days when refrigerated, possibly longer. When you have the finest-quality Granny Smiths covered with homemade caramel and premium nuts, it only makes sense to want to preserve the fresh factor as long as possible.
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