One of my favorite fall time activities is making homemade gourmet caramel apples. It is totally something I must have picked up in Wisconsin, because that’s where I remember it the most. As soon as September hit there would be tons of caramel apple displays in the produce of Pick N Save. I remember being so excited to receive one as a child, only to be disappointed because when I bit into it, I discovered a bad apple.
I then decided to try and make my own chocolate caramel apple and the rest is history. This recipe is an oldie and a goodie. You are definitely going to want to stick around for this one.
Gourmet Caramel Apple Ingredients
- 10-12 large Honeycrisp apples
- 1 caramel apple kit (or homemade caramel recipe)
- A few tablespoons of evaporated milk
- 2 cups nuts, chopped
- 15 Oreos, crushed
- Graham cracker crumbs (optional)
- Chocolate for dipping and drizzling (milk or dark chocolate)
Instructions for Gourmet Caramel Apples
- Under warm water, wash the apples with a little soap to remove any wax or residue, and remove the stems. Thoroughly dry the apples. Chop the nuts and crush the Oreos, preparing other toppings as desired.
- Insert sticks into the top of each apple where the stem was removed.
- If using a store-bought caramel apple kit, follow the instructions for melting the caramel. If making caramel from scratch, melt the caramel over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. If needed, add a teaspoon or two of evaporated milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Spray a heavy-weight dipping sheet or parchment paper with oil and place it in the refrigerator. Working in batches, dip each apple into the melted caramel, swirling to coat evenly. Use a spatula to remove excess caramel from the bottom of the apple. Place the coated apples on the prepared dipping sheet. Repeat with all apples, and let them cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Melt the chocolate according to the package instructions or using a double boiler.
- Once the caramel has set, dip the apples into the melted chocolate, ensuring an even coating. Quickly sprinkle or roll the chocolate-coated apples in the desired toppings such as chopped nuts, crushed Oreos, or graham cracker crumbs.
- If you have extra melted chocolate, use it to drizzle over the apples for an extra touch. Fill the center of the apple stick with chocolate and top with more nuts if desired.
- Place the finished apples back on the dipping sheet and allow them to set completely. Once set, they are ready to serve or package for gifting.
Why We Love Gourmet Caramel Apples
Gourmet Caramel Apples are a delightful treat that we love for their perfect blend of sweet, tart, and crunchy flavors. They’re incredibly fun to make and highly customizable, allowing you to create a unique dessert tailored to your personal taste.
Whether you enjoy the classic combination of caramel and chocolate or prefer experimenting with toppings like crushed cookies, candy, or nuts, each apple offers a delicious and satisfying experience. These apples are perfect for any occasion, making them a go-to favorite for gatherings, holidays, or if you are just craving a sweet treat!
Commonly asked questions
Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?
Yes, you can use any firm apple variety such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala. Just keep in mind that different apples will have varying levels of sweetness and tartness, which can affect the overall flavor.
How do I store leftover caramel apples?
Store leftover caramel apples in the refrigerator, preferably in an airtight container. They can last up to 3 days. For the best taste, let them come to room temperature before serving.
Can I make these caramel apples ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the caramel apples a day ahead and keep them in the refrigerator. Just make sure they are fully set before storing them to avoid any sticking or smudging.
What are some alternative toppings I can use?
In addition to chopped nuts and crushed cookies, you can get creative with toppings like shredded coconut, sprinkles, crushed candy bars, or even mini marshmallows. The possibilities are endless!
Other Apple Recipes to try
- Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Caramel Apple Cupcakes
- Caramel Apple Jello Shots
- Caramel Apple Nachos
- Caramel Apple Crisp Cookie Bars
Gourmet Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- 10-12 Large Honey Crisp Apples
- 1 Caramel Apple Kit
- Evaporated Milk , few Tablespoons
- 2 cups nuts , chopped
- 15 Oreos , crushed
- Graham Cracker Crumbs , Optional
Instructions
- Under warm water, wash the apples with a little soap to remove any wax or residue. Remove the stems and thoroughly dry the apples.
- Chop the nuts, crush the Oreos, and prepare other toppings if using. Set aside.
- Insert wooden sticks into the top of each apple where the stem was removed.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel candies according to the package instructions. Add a teaspoon or two of evaporated milk if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- In a tall dish (such as a yogurt container), dip each apple into the melted caramel, ensuring an even coating. Use a spatula to remove any excess caramel from the bottom of the apple. Place the coated apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the caramel-coated apples in the refrigerator and allow them to set for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the milk chocolate according to the package instructions. Stir until smooth.
- Once the caramel has set, dip each apple into the melted chocolate. Quickly add your desired toppings, such as chopped nuts, crushed Oreos, or graham cracker crumbs, before the chocolate sets.
- Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and drizzle over the top of each apple for an extra decorative touch.
- Place the finished apples back on the parchment-lined baking sheet and allow them to set completely. Once set, they are ready to serve or package for gifting.
Nutritional information is only an estimate and it’s accuracy is not guaranteed to be exact.
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31 Responses
Your easy step-by-step instructions make this recipe so easy to recreate at home. I also loved your choice of Honeycrisp apples. These apples give your decadent caramel apples the perfect satisfying crunch!
Thanks so much, Heidi! I’m really glad the step-by-step instructions made it easy for you, and I couldn’t agree more—Honeycrisp apples really do add that perfect crunch. I’m happy you enjoyed the caramel apples!
I love your caramel apples!
Your Caramel Apples look sinfully delicious!
Thank you,
Aviya
What absolutely gorgeous caramel apples! I love how you’ve dipped them in various toppings… and they sound ah-mazing! Seriously. I could go for a few of these right now, haha.
This was one of my favorite links from last week’s #thatsfreshfriday link-up! I’ll be sharing it on my blog and social media channels starting at 7pm EST Thursday evening and going throughout the weekend! Can’t wait to see what you bring to the party this week. Keep up the great work!
LOVE making these as gifts! They are so impressive.
I could eat my screen. Nomnomnom. We have apples and I might have to make these!!
Thanks, Lynee. Caramel apples are a lot of fun to make this time of year!
Absolutely stunning! These look way too good to eat! 🙂
Thanks, Annmarie, we loved them!
Do you have a recipe without buying the kit for caramel apples,the kit is a little bit pricey.
Hi Carol, the caramel apple recipe is in the link below. Also you can use chocolate chips or chocolate bars to to then dunk the apples into after the caramel. For the drizzle, I used squeeze bottles (I think i saw some at walmart) to pour the chocolate into and squeeze on top. https://www.raininghotcoupons.com/cream-caramel-apples/
Hi Jessica,
Your Caramel Apples look sinfully delicious! Thanks for sharing them at Saturday Sparks. You have been featured today.
Warmest Regards,
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
Oh my, these look amazing!
These are just beautiful! What a treat!
Thanks, Shannon! Have a good weekend.
OMG this looks AMAZING! And so delicious!! I just found your blog through one of the linkups! So glad I did! I love your blog style! I wish I could create a dessert like this!! You should join us on Tuesdays for the Celebrate Southern link up over at http://www.2catsandchloe.com for some southern-inspired posts. You don’t have to be a southern blogger to join, this post would be a great fit! Today’s linkup is already live! Can’t wait to see more from you! So glad I found your blog! 🙂
When I first saw the apple I thought OMG those are gorgeous but must be hard to make. Then, after I read the recipe, I think I could possibly do it myself! Wow – thanks! I just might make these to take to a halloween party!
Thanks, Vickie. I can’t remember the last time doing caramel apples but I’m pretty sure this was my first time as an adult on my own. It was a lot of fun and pretty easy. I usually have trouble melting chocolate but I’ve got it figured out with the microwave on 1/2 power now!
These sound sinful! I must make them =) Found you on the Pieced Pastimes link up!
This looks absolutely delicious. I love caramel apples and am making this asap!
Thanks so much, you’ll love these!
OMG! These look amazing! So much better than traditional caramel apples — Yum!
I’m always trying to sneak other treats into caramel apples. Thanks, Tammi!
Ooo this looks so good!
Thanks, Amber!
These apples look amazing and so divine! YUMMMMMY! Thanks for sharing! PINNED!
Thanks, Michelle. HAve a good weekend!
This is my sweet tooth dream…love it! What a delicious idea for a treat…thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, Jodee! Caramel is my weakness.. 🙂
Those are stunning! Remind me of the caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory my mom used to buy my brother and I for Halloween when we were kids.
I love to make homemade treats for Halloween for my friends’ kids- these would be a perfect option!
Visiting from SITs. 🙂
Wow. That looks sooooo good! I actually just at a Honey Crisp apple today for the first time……but it did not have all of that yumminess on it! Thanks so much for linking up to the DIY Inspired party tonight. 🙂 XOXO