Ooey Gooey Delicious Caramel Apples

My kids have been begging me for weeks to make caramel apples, and since fall wouldn't be complete without making these, I willingly obliged.  We made homemade caramel to dip the apples in, not the prepackaged processed caramels, and they were sooooo delicious, down to the last ooey gooey sticky caramel bite.

Can you see my reflection in the caramel apple?

And the best part about this recipe?  There was still enough caramel to fill an 8x8" pan to save for later, long after the caramel apples were devoured.  Mom's little caramel stash ;)

AND I learned the most amazing tip I want to share with you.  Nothing is more disappointing than going through the hassle of stirring homemade caramel oh so patiently for what seems to be hours, only to have the caramel slip right off your apple and pool around the bottom, leaving you with a naked apple.

Naked apples are no fun!  So, to ensure that your caramel sticks, first wash it with a little soap and warm water.  The soap and warm water help remove the wax, which can make the caramel slide right off your apple. And we can't have that now, can we?

Here are my sanded apples all ready to be dunked.

Then you need to get some fine grit sandpaper and SAND your apple.  Yes, you heard me right.  Scruff it up a little, and the caramel will stick much better.  My caramel stuck really well, so I will definitely be doing this every year.  Hopefully this tip will help you too!

The caramel recipe I used was amazing, and I found it on yourhomebasedmom.com.

Caramel Recipe:

1.  Combine 2 C brown sugar, 1 C corn syrup, and 1/2 C butter.
2.  Stir until the butter is melted, then add 1 can sweetened condensed milk.
3.  Cook to 230 degrees (use a candy thermometer), stirring constantly.
4.  Add 1 tsp. vanilla, stir, then remove from heat.
5.  Dip the apples into the caramel at a 45 degree angle, and slowly swirl, allowing the excess caramel to drip off the apple.  Dip into the toppings of your choice, and allow to cool.

We used crushed pretzels, kosher salt, butterscotch chips, and chocolate chips to dip our apples in.

Aren't they lovely?

Crushed Pretzels Caramel Apple

Simple but delicious Caramel Apple

Salted Caramel Apple

And when your child asks you to cut their apple because it is too sticky and messy, don't panic.

Just do this...

And don't forget to pour all the extra caramel into an 8"x8" pan so you can indulge later, once the kids are in bed and can't eat it all ;)  I threw a little kosher salt on top to make salted caramel.  Heaven.

My extra caramel poured in an 8"x8" pan with kosher salt sprinkled on top.

Now go make yourself some caramel apples!

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XO, Laura