Easy Caramel Apples Recipe (VIDEO)
Caramel apples are such a fun and easy tradition for Fall. Apples coated in salted caramel and rolled in a variety of toppings are a real treat. Did you know it takes just 3 ingredients to make the caramel dip? It doesn’t get much easier than this homemade caramel apple recipe.
We love recreating our favorite treats from the local pumpkin patch, corn maze, and Fall festival food stands like Apple Fritters, Corn Dogs, and definitely these easy caramel apples.
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Easy Caramel Apples Video
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Caramel Apple Recipe
This homemade caramel apple recipe is the perfect dessert and snack. Coating a fresh apple in caramel feels just a little less guilty than a typical dessert. Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is to recreate this childhood favorite.
GIFT IDEA: Caramel apples make a wonderful gift for teachers, friends, and neighbors if you want to make someone’s day brighter. If you’re looking for more homemade gift ideas, check out our Homemade Applesauce or Vanilla Extract.
What You Will Need
- Apples – any variety will work but a crisp and tart apple has a nice flavor contrast to the sweet caramel coating.
- Skewers – you can use candy apple skewers, popsicle sticks, or even chopsticks. You can even use tree twigs to look like a little branch.
- Caramels – there are two preferred brands (Werther’s chewy caramels and Kraft caramels) that are in grocery stores and you can use whichever one is available. You can also buy caramel bits and skip the unwrapping caramels step.
- Heavy whipping cream – use 4 Tbsp of heavy whipping cream when melting caramels for rich and smooth consistency.
- Salt – adding a pinch of salt balances the sweetness.
Tips for the Best Caramel Apples
- Remove Wax – if your apples are store bought, you will need to remove the wax so the caramel sticks better to the apple. Dip the apple in hot water for a few seconds then thoroughly dry with a towel.
- Dry Apples – make sure apples are completely dry before dipping in wax.
- Chill skewered apples – Once apples are skewered, refrigerate while you melt the caramels. Caramel will firm up quickly on a chilled apple so the caramel doesn’t pool at the bottom.
- Have toppings ready – you’ll need to apply toppings as soon as the caramel is on the apple since it will firm up quickly, especially if you are working with cold apples.
- Refrigerate coated apples for at least 15 minutes to help the caramel set quickly without sagging. You’ll want to refrigerate before applying any melted chocolate topping.
How to Make Caramel Apples
- Skewer Apples – wash, thoroughly dry and skewer apples.
- Chill apples – place apples on a tray and refrigerate while melting caramels.
- Melt Caramel – in a large mixing bowl, combine unwrapped caramels, heavy cream and a pinch of salt. Microwave for a few minutes, stirring every 30 seconds and heat until melted and smooth. You can also melt over a double boiler or in a heavy saucepan, but stir frequently if using a saucepan so it doesn’t scorch.
- Dip chilled apples – into the caramel, one at a time. Let excess drip back into the bowl and scrape the bottom of the apple on the edge of the bowl to prevent pooling caramel at the bottom.
- Add toppings – right after apples are dipped, roll in your prepared toppings or leave them plain if drizzling with chocolate later.
- Cool – set caramel apples over a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet to prevent sticking. Refrigerate coated apples for 15 minutes for them to set then drizzle with melted chocolate if desired and enjoy.
Pro Tip: Store caramel apples in the refrigerator until ready to serve. When serving, place each apple on a cupcake liner so they don’t stick to your serving platter.
Toppings
These are so fun to decorate and the topping options are endless. Here are some of our favorite toppings for caramel apples. We love to make a variety for a festive platter of apples.
- Crushed pretzels
- Finely chopped nuts
- Mini M&M’s
- Coconut flakes
- Sprinkles
- Crushed Oreos or other cookies
- Melted chocolate
- Kosher salt (sprinkled on lightly)
More Apple Desserts
If you love this recipe for caramel apples, then you won’t want to miss these apple desserts:
- Classic Apple Crisp
- Apple Pie (with the best filling)
- Honey Apple Cider
- Easy Apple Turnovers
- Dutch Apple Pie
Easy Caramel Apples Recipe
Ingredients
For the Caramel Apples:
- 10 apples, or use 8-10 apples depending on size
- 10 skewers for apples
- 22 oz caramels, unwrapped*, from two 11 oz bags
- 4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped pecans
- Sprinkles
- Mini M&M’s
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed Oreo cookies
- Melted chocolate for drizzling
- Crushed pretzels
- Chopped peanuts
Instructions
- If using store-bought apples, you should remove the wax coating first. Dip apples in hot water for a few seconds then rub them with a towel to remove wax. Dry the Apples really well. Remove stems and Insert Sticks into the top of the apples. Tip: refrigerating apples will help the caramel set faster while you prep toppings and melt caramel.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Prepare toppings so they are ready to use.
- Heat caramel, cream and a pinch of salt over a double boiler or microwave for a few minutes stirring every 30 seconds until caramel is melted and smooth.
- Roll apples in caramel, dipping apples sideways to coat almost to the top. We like to leave a little bit of Apple showing on top so you can see what kind of Apple you’re picking. Allow excess to drip back into the bowl. Scrape off the bottom of the Apple against the side of the bowl so you don’t get too much caramel pooling at the bottom
- If you see a lot of air bubbles in your caramel start to form or if it gets too thick, then rewarm it slightly. If caramel so too runny, let it cool slightly before using.
- Immediately after dipping in caramel, roll apples into your toppings or leave them plain if desired. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes or until caramel is set before drizzling with melted chocolate and enjoying.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
works well! only thing is dip your apples immediately after heating or you will have to reheat the caramel frequently
Thanks for the feedback and suggestion!
Would this Caramel recipe be good to use in homemade candies?
Hi Lisa, I usually just use this coating for apples but I think that will work too!
Hi! I was wondering if it would work if I just dipped the apples in regular caramel sauce?
Hi Sofie, depending on the caramel and what you consider regular caramel sauce, it may work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Can you half the recipe? Like 11 Carmel’s and 2 tbl spoons heavy whipping cream?
Hi Brandy, I haven’t tested that but I imagine that will work. You can also click Servings in the recipe card to adjust the serving size and ingredients. Hope that helps!
Instead of dipping the apples can one do more of a deconstructed version? Sliced apples into the dip eaten either warm or cold. Do you think I could make a large batch and portion it up for lunch and rewarm the smaller portions?
Hi Kaitlynn, we have only dipped it as full apples, but I bet that could work! If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Thank you for your fabulous recipes 🙂 You are AMAZING!!!
Would I be able to use 1% milk instead of heavy cream? Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Monica, the fat from the cream is what helps give the caramel a rich and smooth consistency. I worry you may not have the same results from using just milk.
I plan to make these for a party next month. I’d like to prep them the day before. Should they be refrigerated or can they be kept at room temp? I may individually package them if possible. Are they too sticky for that?
Hi Jeena! They should be kept refrigerated until ready to eat. If the apples are chilled when you package them, it will make it easier so they don’t stick as much.
Hi there. How early in advance can I make these before an event? Thank you!
Hi Marina, you should try and eat your caramel apples as soon as you can so that you can preserve the freshness of the apple. Mine are always eaten within a day of making, but a couple of days at most may be best.
My family has always loved caramel apples and seriously, this recipe looks amazing!!
I can’t wait to make it 🙂
Do you think you could make a pineapple cake recipe sometime?
Thank you so much for everything you do!!
They are the best! I hope you try and love this recipe! Thank you so much for the pineapple cake recommendation! You can find the pineapple recipes we have HERE.
We need to make these asap!! My family loves caramel apples! You make it look super easy. They are hard to resist!
Hi Kristyn, I hope your whole family loves these!
I absolutely LOVE Caramel Apples! These are SO easy and delicious! I can’t wait to make these for my kids!
I hope you and the kids love this recipe, Katerina!
Caramel apples are our favorite fall treat!! Love the tips you shared. My kids love topping with all different kinds of candies!
I’m so glad the tips are helpful to you. I’d love to hear what toppings you try.