Unusual Caramel Apples

Who doesnt love caramel apples? When autumn rolls around youll suddenly find many people baking apples, making pies and otherwise serving apples. A beloved fall treat is the traditional caramel apple. Weve all had them - a big, juicy apple dipped in melted caramel. Sometimes the treat is sprinkled with nuts to make the apples even more delicious. If you love caramel apples put a new twist on them this fall. Make caramel apples with different toppings instead of nuts and the crowd will go wild! Refrigerate the amount of apples you are going to dip for at least a couple of hours. When the apples are well chilled the caramel will stay on them better than apples of room temperature. Most people prefer Granny Smith apples but any apples can be used. Remove the stem and push a popsicle stick into the apple. Instead of a wooden stick you can also use a plastic fork as the caramel apple handle.

Choose the foods you want to use for coating the apples after theyre covered in the caramel. These foods should be set out on paper plates so that theyre ready to use as soon as the caramel is applied. Some great toppings include nuts, of course, crushed Oreos, candy sprinkles, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, candy corn pieces, crushed cereal or even shredded coconut. Place each food on its own plate or mix foods to make a combination.

Tear individual pieces of wax paper which are large enough to hold on apple each. Set these in the freezer, on a baking sheet if desired, so you can later put the apples on them. In a glass measuring cup place a bag full of individual caramels - about 10 to 14oz. Add two tablespoons of milk to the caramels and melt in the microwave. This recipe does only about 3 to 5 apples, so if needed, double the recipe. Stir often, and as soon as theyre fully melted, remove and set near the apples. Dip an apple in the caramel, hold it over the cup to let excess drip off, then use a butter knife to scrape away any huge globs of caramel. Let the caramel sit for about a minute then roll the apple in the chosen topping. Make sure you coat the area of the apple opposite the handle. Set the apple in the freezer, on the wax paper, so that the stick is facing upwards. Do one apple at a time until youre finished. Caramel apples are always a delicious treat but youll love them even more when you dip them in unusual toppings. If you want to give the caramel apple as a gift simply wrap a cellophane piece around it and tie it shut with a pretty ribbon.