Caramel apples, one of the most fall-esque treats you can enjoy! There’s just something about the crunchy, caramely, and tangy combination that we can’t get enough of. You can probably find caramel apples at your local grocery store this time of year, but we have a feeling that they won’t be anywhere near as good as homemade caramel apples–made with Robinette’s freshly-picked apples, of course!

We love making caramel apples because they’re so simple. You really only need a few ingredients to make them, and they come together in no time. The hardest part is waiting for the caramel to cool so you can dig in! For such a simple treat, they still feel indulgent enough for special occasions and gatherings. In this blog post, we’ll share a classic caramel apple recipe, as well as some recipes and ideas to take your caramel apples to the next level.

Classic Caramel Apples

Recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Ingredients

  • 8-9 cold apples
  • 1 ¾ cups of heavy cream
  • 1 cup of light corn syrup
  • 2 cups of packed brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract

Other Supplies

  • Caramel apple sticks
  • Silicone baking mat or parchment paper
  • Candy thermometer

Directions

  1. Rinse and dry the apples. Remove any stems, and insert a caramel apple stick into the apple.
  2. Make the caramel by combining the heavy cream, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until butter is melted.
  3. Let the mixture cook until it reaches 235°F (use a candy thermometer to check the temperature), then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Let caramel cool for 5-10 minutes, so it thickens enough to coat the apples.
  5. Dip the apples in the caramel and place them on a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
  6. Allow caramel to set for 45-60 minutes.
  7. Enjoy!

Unconventional Caramel Apples

Don’t get us wrong—we love a classic caramel apple. But there are a variety of ways to level up your caramel game and create truly gourmet desserts.

One of the easiest ways to dress up your caramel apples is with toppings. Get inspired by the topping ideas below, but get creative and try your own combinations!

  • Nuts
  • Pretzels
  • Marshmallows
  • Coconut
  • Chocolate drizzle
  • Salt flakes
  • Sprinkles
  • Crushed graham crackers
  • Peanut butter drizzle
  • Crushed candy bars
  • Chocolate chips
  • Butterscotch chips
  • Crushed Oreos
  • Your favorite cereal
  • Crushed potato chips

Be sure to bookmark this post so you can find it when you have everything you need to make caramel apples. And if you’re in the Grand Rapids area, don’t forget the most important step—getting your apples from Robinette’s apple orchard!