Caramel Apples

It is definitely the caramel apple time of the year! Sigh... Fall how I love everything about you! You bring cooler weather, the best TV shows, Halloween, changing of the leaves, Thanksgiving, warm comfort food and of course football (BOOMER SOONER!!). These caramel apples were delicious and I hope you enjoy them too!

Tools Needed:
Craft sticks or popsicle sticks ( You can find craft sticks in your grocery store and popsicle sticks at Hobby Lobby, Michael's or (probably) a specialty food store)
Bowls for candy coating
Towel
Ladle
Spatula
Muffin paper cups

Ingredients:
12 - 15 Small apples (I used Granny Smiths because they are my favorite)
2 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels
Toppings

Firsts things first... when you are buying apples no matter where they are from (orchard, organic or chain grocery) they will have wax on them. Apples naturally create their own wax to protect its high water content. You MUST remove this wax in order to get the caramel to stick to the apples.

To remove the wax from the apples dip them into boiling water using a ladle. Make sure to submerge the entire apple in the boiling water. Don't leave the apple in the water long (no more than 10 - 15 seconds).

Remove the apple from the boiling water and wipe off the wax immediately using a towel. You should be able to see the wax coming off. 

Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick into the top.

There are several ways to melt caramel. Check out this link and select the method you prefer. Roll each apple quickly in melted caramel sauce until well coated. A spatula might come in hand to spread out the caramel on the apple. Immediately dip and roll the apples in your toppings. I used peanuts and mini chocolate chips (Delicious!). Place the finished caramel apples in a muffin paper cup (because they look cute and keep your pans from getting sticky with caramel!).

There are so many topping choices: Nuts, Sprinkles, Toffee bits, Chocolate chips, Candy corn, Dried fruit, M&M's, chopped candy bars like Snickers, Butterfinger or Baby Ruth, Crushed Oreos or graham crackers, Granola, Trail mix and Kosher salt! What were the toppings on your favorite caramel apple?