Caramel apples are a classic symbol of fall. The crisp, tart apples paired with sinfully sweet caramel is a marriage of flavors that’s both comforting and somehow refreshing. Sure, pre-made caramel apples are available at grocery stores and farm markets during the autumn months. It’s hard to beat homemade caramel apples, though!
The process of making homemade caramel may sound intimidating, but it’s easier than you think and results in caramel apple perfection. Keep reading to learn how to make from-scratch caramel apples.
What Are the Best Apples to Use for Caramel Apples?
You can use just about any type of apple to make caramel apples. However, we find that the best results come from using apples that have a tart flavor profile and a firm, crisp consistency are best.
Granny Smith are the most popular variety for caramel apples because their extra-tart flavor balances beautifully with the sweet caramel. However, if you want something a little less sour, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Pink Lady, Jonagold and even Gala are all suitable apples. You want to avoid Red Delicious, though, since this apple tends to become mushy and mealy more easily.
Choose Small Apples
When selecting your apples, smaller apples often are the best choice. They will be easier to dip and offer a better ratio of apple to caramel flavor. Be sure to inspect the bottom of your apples carefully, too. Look for apples with a flat, even bottom. This helps ensure your apples will sit level and not roll over once dipped in delectable caramel.
Pick Your Own
The best apples for caramel apples are the ones you pick yourself (find the best orchard near you). Besides being a fun fall activity, apples picked from an orchard often lack the waxy coating you see on most apples in grocery stores. While there’s nothing dangerous about this waxy coating, it can make coating your apples in caramel tricky.
If you do go the grocery store route for your apples, make sure to clean off the wax. To remove the wax, dip each apple into boiling water for 3 to 5 seconds, then wipe it with a paper towel. You can use a paper towel dipped in apple cider vinegar or a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to remove more stubborn wax coatings.
How to Make Traditional Caramel Apples, Step by Step
This recipe for homemade caramel apples, shared by Kansas reader Karen Ann Bland, makes 8 apples.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 medium tart apples
- 8 wooden sticks
Directions
Step 1: Prepare caramel
In a heavy 3-quart saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and milk. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently until mixture reaches 248° (firm-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 30-40 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in vanilla.
Step 2: Dip the apples
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Insert wooden sticks into apples using firm pressure. Next, dip each apple into the hot caramel mixture, turning to coat. Lift the apple from the caramel and allow any excess caramel to drip off. Set on a piece of parchment paper to cool.
Step 3: Decorate with toppings
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
If desired, roll, sprinkle or drizzle your caramel apples with your favorite decorations once the caramel has cooled but is still tacky. Rainbow sprinkles, chopped nuts and melted chocolate are all delicious and popular options. Return to the parchment to finish cooling.
How Long Do Homemade Caramel Apples Last?
Your caramel apples are always best eaten the same day they are prepared. However, they can also be saved for future enjoyment if properly stored.
We don’t recommend leaving caramel apples out overnight, mainly for food safety reasons. Once punctured with a wooden dowel, caramel apples can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, like listeria. For best results, keep any uneaten caramel apples in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Caramel Apple Tips + Decorating Ideas
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
While making caramel apples is fairly easy, there are a few best practices you should follow to guarantee the best results. Here are a few of our favorite tricks.
Use Cold Apples
We’ve found that refrigerated apples deliver the best caramel apples. The coolness of the apple helps set the caramel quickly and smoothly compared to apples stored at room temperature.
Make Sure Apples Are Dry
As with any recipe made with fresh apples, you should always wash your produce prior to preparing or consuming. When making caramel apples, be sure to dry the apples thoroughly prior to dipping them in the caramel. Excess water on the skin can cause the caramel to bubble and stick poorly to the apple.
One Dip Is All It Takes
Resist the urge to double dip! For a perfectly smooth, even coating, dip the apples in a single, fluid motion and then turn in the caramel. Once coated, lift the apple out and let any excess caramel drip off.
Use a Pastry Bag
Add some decorative details to your apples by using a pastry bag fitted with a small tip and filled with melted chocolate to make polka dots, stripes, swirls, flowers or other fun designs on your caramel apples.
Decorate the Sticks
Don’t forget about the sticks! Tying a simple silk bow around the stick of each caramel apple or wrapping the sticks with thin, multi-colored ribbons secured with a tiny dot of non-toxic glue is a great way to dress up your apples.
Use Steam to Soften the Caramel
If you’re having a difficult time getting any toppings to stick to your caramel apples, it’s likely because the caramel set too quickly. No worries, you can soften the caramel again. Hold the coated apples over a small saucepan filled with boiling water (be careful!). The hot steam will envelop the apple and soften just the outermost layer of caramel so toppings will adhere with ease.
Be Creative
Let your imagination run wild when preparing your caramel apples. Chopped peanuts, sprinkles and melted chocolate are the most traditional caramel apple toppings, but they’re far from your only options. Here are a few other ideas to inspire you:
- Candy: Roll in mini M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces and/or chopped Snickers
- Apple crisp: Roll in granola and walnuts, drizzle with melted white chocolate and dust with cinnamon
- Pumpkin pie: Drizzle with melted white chocolate mixed with a little orange food coloring and dust with pumpkin pie spice and graham cracker crumbs
- Cookies and cream: Dip in melted white chocolate and roll in crushed Oreos
- Salted caramel: Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and add a drizzle of melted chocolate
- Chocolate turtle: Roll in roasted pecans and drizzle with milk or dark chocolate
- Campfire s’mores: Roll in melted marshmallows, drizzle with melted milk chocolate and dust with graham cracker crumbs
The Best Caramel Apple-Inspired Recipes to Make Next
Caramel Apple Bars
These bars make an excellent fall dessert. We like to warm individual servings in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It quickly became a family favorite; maybe it'll become one of your family's, too. —Carol Stuber, Osawatomie, Kansas
Go to Recipe
Salted Caramel Apple PieInstead of the usual ho-hum apple pie, my grandmother and I prepared this showstopper salted caramel apple pie for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time preparing it and an even better time eating it! —Emmie Hine, Wilmette, Illinois
Caramel Apple Rice Krispies TreatsOoey, gooey caramel meets your favorite crisped rice treat in this caramel apple Rice Krispies Treat recipe. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Caramel Apple FloatWho doesn't love the flavors of caramel, apples, and vanilla ice cream together? If I'm feeling fancy, I drizzle caramel syrup around the inside of my glass before adding the apple cider and ginger ale. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Caramel-Apple Skillet BuckleMy grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
Caramel Apple SconesA drizzle of caramel complements the apple and whole wheat flavors of these rustic-looking scones. —Arlene Cook, Bainbridge, Georgia
Caramel ApplesWho doesn’t love a good gooey caramel apple? Make a double batch because these treats always go fast! —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
Caramel Apple StrudelMy father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
Caramel Apple Pie with Streusel ToppingI developed this recipe through the years to get it exactly where we want it. I've entered several pie contests with it and placed first each time—one bite and you'll know why this pie's a winner! —Laurel Dalzell, Manteca, California
Caramel-Apple Shortbread CookiesThere is nothing like seeing my friends almost melt to the floor when they bite into something I made. These cookies never fail to elicit oohs and aahs. —Amber Taylor, Lenoir City, Tennessee
Caramel Apple BarsThese bars make an excellent fall dessert. We like to warm individual servings in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It quickly became a family favorite; maybe it'll become one of your family's, too. —Carol Stuber, Osawatomie, Kansas
Caramel Apple CupcakesTake these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Oatmeal Caramel Apple CookiesThis recipe for caramel apple cookies is a fun twist on traditional oatmeal raisin. These treats are hard to resist! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Rustic Caramel Apple TartLike an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas
Caramel Apple Coffee Cake with WalnutsI created this recipe after a trip to an orchard with my family. This moist cake is full of hearty apples and nuts, while the caramel topping adds a delectable finish. —Sharon Cable, Dyersville, Iowa.
Easy Mini Caramel Apple CheesecakesCheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
Apple Crisp PizzaWhile visiting the bakery at a Wisconsin apple orchard, I tried this tempting treat. At home, I put together this recipe. As it bakes, the enticing aroma fills my kitchen, and friends and family linger waiting for a sample. —Nancy Preussner, Delhi, Iowa
Caramel Apple MuffinsThese muffins are perfect for anyone who loves caramel apples. They are particularly good with breakfast or during a coffee break. —Therese Puckett, Shreveport, Louisiana
Apple Pie BitesThese apple pie bites are fun for kids to make. Simply wrap strips of pastry around apple wedges and shake on some cinnamon-sugar. Then just bake and watch them disappear! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Gourmet Caramel ApplesThese drizzled confections look gorgeous and taste over-the-top yummy. With peanut butter flavor and a salty burst, they'll be the treats you can't wait to make each year. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chunky Apple CakeAfter taste testing lots of apple cakes, I've found this apple cake recipe the best. Full of old-world comfort, the yummy brown sugar sauce really makes the cake special. For a festive occasion, top with a dollop of whipped cream. —Debi Benson, Bakersfield, California
Caramel Apple BitesKids can help make these perfect fall bites by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It's a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Spiced Apple Cake with Caramel IcingEasy to prepare and popular with my friends and family, this apple cake is one of my all-time favorite autumn recipes. A slice of this soft treat is delicious with a hot cup of coffee or tea. —Monica Burns, Fort Worth, Texas
Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel SauceThis apple bread pudding with caramel sauce has been in my life for a long time. It's a family fave and always on my buffet when I put together a brunch. It's also special enough for dinner dessert. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
Apple Caramel Cheesecake BarsThe streusel topping that comes with this recipe for apple cream cheese bars is absolutely irresistible. If you can’t resist a “taste test” before a party, just arrange each apple bar on a serving platter and no one will know a piece is missing from the pan! —Katherine White, Henderson, Nevada
Caramel-Pecan Apple PieYou'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona
Caramel-Pecan Apple SlicesHere's a warm, decadent side dish for fall or winter brunches. Ready to eat in only 15 minutes, the apples are also good alongside a pork entree or spooned over vanilla ice cream. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Andrea Mathis for Taste of Home
This delicious, gooey caramel apple dump cake is flavorful, moist and made with simple ingredients: apple pie filling, cake mix, butter and, of course, caramel sauce. You can add in a few warming spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, for extra fall flavor. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
Caramel Apple Creme BruleeHere's the cream of the apple dessert crop. Fruit, caramel and cinnamon flavors enhance the rich, velvety custard. Served warm or chilled, it's a classic end to a meal. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Fluffy Caramel Apple DipThis sweet, smooth and fluffy dip is really a crowd-pleaser. Be careful—it's so good that you won't want to stop eating it! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Contest-Winning Caramel Apple CrispWhen my kids and I make apple crisp, we use all sorts of apples to boost the flavor and texture. Add melted caramels, and you’ve got something scrumptious. —Michelle Brooks, Clarkston, Michigan
Air-Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls with Caramel SauceThese easy apple pie egg rolls can be prepared as needed, using egg roll wrappers as vessels for the fruit rather than traditional pie crust. The air-fryer method of cooking results in a crispy, crunchy crust with a tender, juicy filling. Flavored cream cheese spread may be used instead of plain, depending on availability. —Sheila Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Caramel Crunch Apple PieI was raised on a small farm, the youngest of eight children and the only girl. My mom taught me how to make all kinds of pies from scratch, and this is one of my favorites. Caramels and apples are a delicious combination.
Updated: May 16, 2023
