How is it possible today is the first day of fall? It feels like just yesterday I was anxiously awaiting the beginning of summer and now it’s managed to slip through my fingers in the blink of an eye. I know I’m young and supposed to feel invincible and like time is forever on my side, but I don’t and it’s clearly not. Time is passing me by, particularly that filled with nice weather, and I don’t like it. I feel like I need to seize every moment. I’d very much appreciate if I could seize the moments that were summer over again.
However, like it or not, fall arrives today at 4:44 pm. At which time I’ll probably be in denial, wistfully staring at the flowers, taking a walk in the sunshine, enjoying a juicy peach, or maybe just curled up in a ball hoping summer will return swiftly.
Am I looking forward to parts of fall? Sure. There’s tons of great fall TV – Homeland, Grey’s Anatomy, Survivor, Castle, and on and on – and I have lots of fun plans – plays and a football game. And . . . and . . . well, it means we’re inching closer to next summer. I’m sure there are more things I like about fall, but honestly, they’re not coming to mind right now.
I do enjoy apples. Fresh, local apples, preferably Honeycrisp. Even better are Caramel Apples. I grew up eating caramel apples from the grocery store, cider mill, and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. They had the best caramel apples with all different toppings. Every time I went to the mall, I just had to have one.
I’ve always wanted to make my own caramel apples and now I finally did. These are messy, both to make and eat. The gooey caramel is a little difficult to work with: too runny and it won’t stick to the apples, too hard and it sticks to everything. I much prefer to cut the apples into pieces once coated, rather than biting right into the whole apple. However, all the mess is more than worth it, as the complex, rich, not too sweet caramel pairs incredibly well with the apples. And these happen to be gluten free. I used both Honeycrisp and Gala, but feel free to use whatever kind of apple you like the best. I also skipped the skewers in the middle of the apples, but if you feel like using those, go for it. These were great plain, but I topped some with mini marshmallows, chopped almonds, Reese’s Pieces, or a combination of all three. The combination was rather irresistible with the gooey caramel, the crisp apple, crunchy nuts and candy, and those soft marshmallows. It was a flavor and texture dream come true. I think I need to make another batch of these to help me survive the beginning of fall.
Caramel Apples #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 7-8 apples 1x
Ingredients
- 7–8 apples, washed and dried very well
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Mini marshmallows, for topping
- Chopped almonds, for topping
- Reese’s Pieces, for topping
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Stir together, cover, and place over medium-high heat until the sugar melts, 5-7 minutes. Once the sugar has melted, uncover and continue to cook until the mixture is a golden-amber color. You may swirl the pot, but do not stir the mixture.
- Once the mixture is golden, remove it from the heat and pour in the cream. Be careful as it will bubble up quite a bit. Stir until the cream is fully incorporated and there are no lumps. Pour the caramel into a heat proof bowl.
- Let the caramel cool in the bowl about 10 minutes. Try dipping 1 apple to test if the caramel is cool enough to stick. If it is, continue dipping the apples until they are coated, rolling each apple in toppings, if desired, before placing on a parchment lined sheet pan to cool and set. If the caramel does not stick, allow it to cool 5 more minutes before trying again. If the caramel gets too hard, microwave it in 15 second increments until it is soft enough to use. Apples may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Don’t forget to check out the other Sunday Supper dishes!
Amazing Breakfasts, Brunches, and Breads
- Apple Spice Muffins from Pixie Dust Kitchen
- Skinny Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Donuts with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze from The Messy Baker
- Apple Spice Waffles from Treats and Trinkets
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Donuts from Daily Dish Recipes
- Mini Pumpkin Pancake Kebobs from The Urban Mrs.
- Mini Apple Cinnamon Rolls from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Cinnamon Apple Crepes from Juanita’s Cocina
- Maple Apple Bread from The Foodie Army Wife
- Pumpkin Ale Pretzel Buns from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Outstanding Soups, Starters and Sides:
- Bacon, Corn and Shrimp Chowder from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Pumpkin Tomato Sauce with Andouille Sausage from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Parmesan Polenta from That Skinny Chick can Bake
- Farro Date Salad with Mango and Arugula from Shockingly Delicious
- Butternut Squash Tian with Herb Topping from Food Lust People Love
- Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup from Alida’s Kitchen
Comforting Main Dishes:
- Autumn Risotto with Chicken & Cranberries from Momma’s Meals
- Mushroom and Sorrel Lasagne from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Roasted Fig & Pancetta Pasta Carbonara from Nik Snacks
- Chili from Casa De Crews
- Vegan Mushroom Pie from Killer Bunnies Inc
- White Pizza with Kale and Meatballs from The Hand That Rocks the Ladle
- Spicy Korean Monkfish Stew (Agu Jjim) from kimchi MOM
- Creole Shrimp & Cheddar Basil Grits Cake from The Roxx Box
- Penne with Spicy Pumpkin and Sausage Sauce from Webicurean
- Bacon Spinach Pasta from Magnolia Days
- Chicken, Spinach, and Gnocchi Soup from Cookin’ Mimi
- Stuffed Meatballs in Tomato Alfredo Sauce from Family Foodie
- Butternut Squash and Lentil Pot Pie from Curious Cuisiniere
- Mini Meatball and Goat Cheese Risotto from MarocMama
- Onion Tart {Zwiebelkuchen} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili from Neighborfood
Decadent Desserts:
- Pumpkin Marshmallows from Home Cooking Memories
- Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars from Table for Seven
- Apple Cider Five Spice Caramels from girlichef
- Italian Apple Torta from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Apple Fig and Pomegranate Crisp from Take a Bite Out of Boca
- Caramel Apple Sugar Cookie Pizza from Chocolate Moosey
- Pumpkin Bourbon Pie with Walnut Crumble from Gotta Get Baked
- Camotes Enmielados (Mexican Candied Yams/Sweet Potatoes) from La Cocina de Leslie
- Maple Syrup Pumpkin Bars from What Smells So Good?
- Pear Almond Graham Cracker Tart from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Walnut-Stuffed Baked Apples from Foxes Loves Lemons
- Buttery Bourbon Ice Cream from NinjaBaking
- Caramel Apples from Pies and Plots
- Funnel Cakes from The Texan New Yorker
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies from In The Kitchen With KP
- {Gluten-Free} Pumpkin Swirl Pecan Crumb Cake from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Chocolate Pumpkin Swiss Roll Cake from Big Bear’s Wife
- Hot Apple Pizza from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Savory & Sweet Coconut Cream Salted Caramel Apples from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Tasty Drinks:
- Pumpkin Juice – Harry Potter Style from The Dinner-Mom
- The Best Wines for Fall Foods from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
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I used to love caramel apples, but I really only wanted the caramel and a small layer of apple. They look very halloween, your apples! And you should go live somewhere where it’s summer weather year long Laura!
I’m doing my best to move somewhere, Paula, working at it everyday!
How fun! I love the different decorations, so many possibilities!
I loved making caramel apples when I was a kid! What a great memory.
Always nice when food brings back memories!
I love caramel apples and they couldn’t be more Fall like. Perfection and your recipe is great!
Mmm, caramel and apples. You can’t go wrong with that!
Caramel apples are so much fun! It’s been ages since I’ve made them – thanks for reminding me I need to again. Good job with yours! Thanks.
This right here is what fall is all about…. I just showed my kids and they are begging me to make this right away! I am so glad you are part of the Sunday Supper Movement!
Thanks you so much for the sweet comment, Isabel! It completely and totally made my day 🙂 I hope you make these apples and love them!
Brilliant addition of Reese’s bits to the caramel apple, Laura. Your treats are indeed a grand way to say hello to autumn!
😉
Caramel Apples mean fall and Halloween. I love fall! Great recipe, Laura!
This brings back so many memories of childhood!
OMG. Reese’s on a caramel apple – you have won my heart! I saw a Reese’s COATED apple at my local grocery store this weekend and even though I’m on a sugar cleanse at the moment, I almost bought one 😉 I’m sure Reese’s are amazing when combined with an apple!
A sugar cleanse would kill me! I saw your Instagram of that apple and had already made these, so it made me smile.
So cute! I love it!! I tried making homemade caramel apples last year and what a tasty mess that turned out! Yours looks fantastic!!
A tasty mess is a perfect way to describe them. Making these look that good took forever and caramel was everywhere, but it was worth it 🙂
Laura, these wonderful apples are a great way to kick-start the Fall season! Can’t wait to see more Fall recipes from you this year!
I have been craving caramel apples lately.. love them! And i love how you glammed these up!
I’ve never made caramel apples before…I was always afraid to for some reason! Or maybe it’s just because I hate big messes 🙂 Love these!
I honestly don’t eat a ton of desserts, but I can never resist a caramel apple…your amped up version looks divine!!!
That surprises me, Liz, because you always make the best looking desserts. You have some mad pastry skills 🙂
The orchard by my house used to make INCREDIBLE apples that looked just like this!
These looks so fun! My kids would definitely eat the outside of that apple clean! And guess who would get the rest?? 😉
Hahaha, that sounds like something I would have done and left my mom with just the apple when I was a kid. Now I want the whole thing, as long as I get the leftover caramel in the pot 🙂
Remember those pre-formed caramel circles? Just peel and unwrap onto the apple?
Those things were wild!
Yours is much better taste-wise!
I do remember those, and I probably used them and loved them as a kid!
I haven’t had a good caramel apple in years! I like them rolled in peanuts!
It is ABSURD and kind of crazy that fall is officially here! TIme is definitely flying. I am so impressed with your caramel apples and love all the fun toppings!
I am so in denial about fall and not ready for all this chilly weather. What I wouldn’t give for 80s and sunny again! Thanks, Joanne!
Yay for fall…and awesome caramel apples! 🙂
I haven’t had caramel apples since I was a kid. Your post makes me want to have one again!
I love caramel apples! I really love Reese’s Pieces with caramel apples! Looks good! Now I want to go home and make some
I hope you do make them and love them as much as I did! Thanks, Angie!
they look yummy!
What a beautiful dessert. Wow! i can’t remember the last time I had a caramel apple…and when I did, it didn’t look as good as yours! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Martin 🙂
I love caramel apples! My and my sisters always used to get them on our summer trips in Lake George, NY. This local bakery made them so awesome…huge apples with a thick layer of caramel.
Your caramel apples take me down memory lane. 🙂 Love how you added goodies on top of the caramel!
Yumm ! Love all the good stuff on the apple. Great that you made your own caramel sauce. So much cheaper and tastes so fresh too. My first time making caramel apples at home and it was such a fun experience.
Awww Laura, don’t be too sad. Although I know how you feel – every time Christmas is over and I’m facing months of dreary weather without any fun holidays in sight, I get mighty depressed. Making caramel apples must have been so much fun!
Oh yes, after the whirlwind that are Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, it’s like just yucky winter until spring finally starts.
I’m more of a sliced apple person too but I bet my kids would have a blast making these!
I sliced mine before eating it. So much mess messy.