Homemade Caramel Apples

Name: Homemade Caramel Apples
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 8-10 cold apples; 2 cups brown sugar (packed); 1 1/2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup light corn syrup; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; melted chocolate; flaky sea salt; sprinkles; nuts

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These Homemade Caramel Apples bring all the fun of the fairground straight to your kitchen. Crisp, juicy apples are dunked in buttery caramel, then topped with your favorite extras for a perfect bite every time. Sweet, gooey, and oh-so-satisfying, they’re the perfect treat for fall!

A caramel apple drizzled with chocolate sits on parchment paper. In the background, other caramel-coated apples are slightly out of focus.

Easy Caramel Apple Recipe

There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a cool, crisp apple, wrapped in gooey caramel. Trust me, I know that making caramel from scratch might sound intimidating, but it’s a lot easier than you’d think. Just a few simple steps and you’ll have a thick, velvety smooth caramel that’s perfect for dipping apples!

Once the apples are coated and the caramel sets, the fun really begins. You can keep it classic with just the caramel alone or add toppings like flaky sea salt, nuts, or a drizzle of melted chocolate. The result? Gorgeous, delicious gourmet caramel apples that look as great as they taste!

I loved adding these apples to the top of my homemade Caramel Apple Cake for a rustic but elegant cake topper. They’d also be perfect as the centerpiece of a Halloween Snack Board.

Close-up of a caramel apple topped with chocolate drizzle and sea salt, with a slice of the apple taken out and placed nearby. Additional caramel apples are in the background.

Why We Love This Recipe

Easy recipe: Whipping up your own caramel apples is a breeze with just a few simple steps!
From-scratch caramel: The homemade caramel gives these a rich, deep flavor that store-bought caramel just can’t match.
Great gifts: Everyone loves a special treat! Package these in cellophane bags and give them as gifts (they make a great teacher gift)!
Fun for parties: Once the caramel has cooked and thickened, keep it warm in a slow cooker. Then everyone can have fun dipping and decorating their own apples.

Ingredients

Cold apples
Brown sugar
Heavy cream
Light corn syrup- (you can find organic, non-GMO corn syrups online)
Unsalted butter, room temp
Salt
Vanilla extract
Optional toppings- melted chocolate, flaky sea salt, sprinkles, nuts

How to Make Homemade Caramel Apples

Prepping The Apples

Step 1. Place a sheet of parchment or waxed paper on a cookie sheet and spray with cooking spray.

Step 2. Wash and dry the apples. You’ll want to rub them really well with a kitchen towel or paper towel to remove any waxy residue. This will help the caramel stick to the apples better.

Step 3. Place a caramel apple stick in the apples and refrigerate them until you are ready to dip.

Tip: For a fun twist, you cut small twigs for the apples, instead of using candy apple or popsicle sticks. Make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold the apple while dipping. If you don’t actually want to use a real branch (or you can’t find them) you can buy these branch-like sticks on Amazon.

A bowl of green and red apples sits on a light surface next to a single apple on a paper towel. Another apple stem is also on the paper towel. An additional apple is positioned above the towel.

A bowl with three apples, two green and one red, sits on a surface next to a paper towel with two green apples and two red apples. Twigs lie on the right side of the image.

Making The Caramel

Step 1. In a heavy bottom pan, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Cook this mixture over medium heat. Resist the urge to change the temperature while making the caramel.

Step 2. Stir the caramel with a wooden or rubber spatula, just until the butter has melted and all the ingredients are well combined. Continue to stir occasionally to prevent sticking but don’t over stir…it will cause bubbles in the caramel.

Tip: As you cook the caramel, it may splatter on the sides causing crystallization that can ruin your caramel. Use a pastry brush dipped in water to brush the sides of the pan.

A saucepan containing heavy cream and other ingredients being stirred with a white spatula. Beside it, a bowl of green and red apples and one apple on the countertop.

A bubbling saucepan of caramel is on a white surface, accompanied by small bowls of chocolate and sea salt.

Step 3. Continue to cook until the caramel reaches 235°-240° on your candy thermometer. This will take 15 to 20 minutes. It’s okay if it takes a little longer, just don’t raise the temperature. Remove the caramel from the burner and stir in the vanilla.

Decorating The Apples

Step 1. Holding the sticks, dip your apples in the caramel sauce. Tilt the pan if needed to fully coat the apples. Lift and swirl to let the excess caramel drip off, then place on the prepared paper lined pan. Let the apples sit for 30 to 60 minutes.

Tip: You can refrigerate the coated apples to help the caramel set a little faster.

A saucepan filled with caramel being stirred with a white spatula. Adjacent are two small bowls containing salt and a brown substance.

Six caramel apples on parchment paper, some partially coated with chocolate. Sticks are used as handles for the apples. A bowl of caramel and a spoon with melted chocolate are nearby.

Step 2. If you want to decorate your apples, do this right after you dip them so the sprinkles or salt will stick. If you want to drizzle with chocolate, you’ll want to let the caramel set and cool completely first.

Serve and enjoy!

Caramel-coated apples with chocolate drizzle on parchment paper. Additional caramel apples and a small bowl are seen in the background.

Storing Caramel Apples

Place the apples in individual cellophane bags and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator. These caramel apples will last for up to 4-5 days.

Top Tips for Making the Best Caramel Apples

Prep the apples: Apples often have a waxy coating, which can cause the caramel to slide off when dipping. After washing them, dry thoroughly and rub with a paper towel or dish towel to help you remove any wax. Dry well after washing so when you dip the apple the caramel will stick.
Chill the apples: Make sure the apples are cold before dipping them in the caramel. Chilled apples help the hot caramel cool quickly and stick to the apples better.
Don’t substitute the heavy cream: It is important to use heavy cream and not milk or half and half. The fat content is too low in those and the caramel won’t turn out as well.
Corn syrup is key: This is another key ingredient that makes the caramel sticky enough to cling to the apples. Without it, the caramel coating may slide off the apple.
Proper tools: I highly recommend a candy thermometer for this recipe and a thicker bottomed pan. To get the correct reading, don’t let the thermometer touch the bottom of the pan.

Close-up of a caramel-dipped apple drizzled with chocolate, lying on parchment paper next to a small wooden bowl of coarse salt.

Variations and Add-ins

Crushed pretzels: Sprinkle them over the caramel before it dries for a little added crunch.
Dried fruit: Chopped dried fruits like apricots or cranberries make a great chewy topping.
Candy bits: Sprinkle toffee bits or crushed Butterfinger bars on top for extra sweetness.
Crushed cookies: Roll the apples in crushed cookies like Oreos or chocolate chip cookies.
Shredded coconut: Add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Colored sugar crystals: Use colored sugar crystals to add some festive colors..
Fall spice: Mix pumpkin spice or cinnamon into the caramel for some fun, fall flavor.

A close-up of a green caramel apple drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt on a piece of parchment paper.

FAQs

What are the best apples for caramel apples?

You can use a Granny Smith apple, Fuji, or Honeycrisp apples. Just make sure the apples don’t have any blemishes or bruises.

Why do I use brown sugar to make caramel apples?

Brown sugar gives a better caramel flavor than regular granulated sugar.

Can I make the caramel ahead of time?

Sure! You can make the caramel in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat it over low heat before using.

Can I use store-bought caramel to make this recipe?

Yes, you can use melted caramel candies, but homemade caramel adds a richer flavor and better texture.

Caramel-coated apples with chocolate drizzle and some bites taken out of one, displayed on brown paper.

More Delicious Apple Recipes

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