Fran's Caramel Apples

Get ready to delight your taste buds with Fran's Caramel Apples—a timeless, autumn-inspired treat that combines crisp, tart Granny Smith apples with a luscious, homemade caramel coating. This easy-to-follow recipe uses simple ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter, and a touch of vanilla extract to create a rich, velvety caramel that clings perfectly to each apple. Customize your creations by rolling them in toppings such as chopped nuts, colorful sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips, and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet sweet-and-salty twist. Perfect for Halloween parties, festive gatherings, or thoughtful gifting, these caramel apples are a nostalgic dessert packed with flavor and fun. Ready in under an hour, they’re as delightful to make as they are to eat!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Granny Smith apples (or apples of choice)
• 6 pieces Wooden sticks (craft or popsicle sticks)
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup Light corn syrup
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 can (14 oz) Sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt (optional, for garnish)
• 1 cup (optional) Assorted toppings (e.g., chopped nuts, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips)

Directions

Step 1

Wash and thoroughly dry the apples to remove any waxy coating, as this will help the caramel stick. Insert a wooden stick into the stem end of each apple and set aside.

Step 2

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and lightly grease it to ensure the caramel apples don't stick.

Step 3

In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, light corn syrup, butter, and sweetened condensed milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a boil while continuing to stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low and attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan. Cook the caramel, stirring frequently, until it reaches 240°F (soft-ball stage). This typically takes 12-15 minutes.

Step 5

Once the caramel reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat immediately and stir in the vanilla extract. Be cautious, as the caramel will bubble slightly.

Step 6

Hold each apple by the stick and dip it into the caramel, swirling to coat evenly. Let excess caramel drip off and, if desired, roll the apple into toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips.

Step 7

Place the coated apple onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining apples.

Step 8

If desired, sprinkle the tops of the apples lightly with sea salt for a sweet and salty contrast.

Step 9

Allow the caramel apples to cool and set for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. Once fully cooled, they can be enjoyed immediately or wrapped in cellophane for gifting.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2186.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4513.7

Total Fat 163.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 81.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 259.0mg	0%
Sodium 1791.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 755.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.6g	0%
Total Sugars 687.5g
Protein 50.6g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 1363.8mg	0%
Iron 5.1mg	0%
Potassium 3251.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.3%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 64.4%