GOURMET PECAN CARAMEL APPLES

5 large Granny Smith apples

5 wooden craft sticks
1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons water
1 (7 ounces) chocolate candy bar, broken into pieces 
2 tablespoons shortening, divided
1 cup chopped pecans  

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Dip apples into boiling water briefly, using a slotted spoon, to remove any wax that may be present. Wipe dry, and set aside to cool. Insert sticks into the apples through the cores.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and coat with cooking spray. 

Place the unwrapped caramels into a microwave-safe medium bowl along with 2 tablespoons of water. Cook on high for 2 minutes, then stir and continue cooking and stirring at 1-minute intervals until caramel is melted and smooth.  

Hold apples by the stick, and dip into the caramel to coat. Set on waxed paper; refrigerate for about 15 minutes to set.

Heat the chocolate with 1 tablespoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl until melted and smooth. Dip apples into the chocolate to cover the layer of caramel. Return to the waxed paper to set.

Gently press chopped pecans onto the sides of the apples while chocolate is still warm. Work very gently or you will push the caramel around causing it to pull away from the apples.  

file photo

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT CARAMEL APPLES

this is from a post I made in August 2017. Good info for making caramel apples any time of the year.

As we close out Summer and turn our thoughts to Fall, who doesn't think of Caramel Apples? I ran across this information back in 2011 and saved it. This was from allrecipes and is good information. I thought some of you would enjoy this so thought I would share it today.

Apples: Clean, Cold, Dry

• Choose firm apples with no soft spots or blemishes.
• Wash and dry them thoroughly, remove the stem, and insert craft sticks.
• Chill prepped apples in the freezer while you melt the caramel.

Caramel: Not Too Hot

• Follow recipe directions to melt caramel in a bowl or measuring cup that’s deep enough for dipping the apples.
• Let melted caramel cool for a few minutes to thicken up. If caramel is too hot, it will slide right off the apple.

Dip It Good

• Wipe down each apple one more time before dipping to remove any condensation from the fridge.
• Holding the craft stick, dip the apple into the warm caramel, turning it for even coverage.
• Gently rotate the apple after dipping to help the excess caramel drips roll back onto the apple.
• Place dipped apples base-side down on waxed paper that’s been coated with butter or oil.

Best Tips from the AR Community

• If you want to decorate with bits of stuff, sprinkle just a little bit on the side facing you, and then gently press into the caramel. Don’t roll it or push it into the toppings as that moves the caramel away from the apple and contributes to the puddle or very gloppy apples. — LizzieBearCooks
• I followed the advice of other raters, rolling the waxy apples in boiling water, wiping them down, putting the Popsicle sticks in them, then putting them in the freezer for 15 minutes. — TheMeadow.artfire.com
• The suggestion from another reviewer to use the Pyrex measuring cup was great…made it easy to cover the whole apple. — Margcamp
• Like others I put my apples in the freezer while I melted my caramels and then put them back in the freezer for about 15 minutes. They set up great! — kateandnatesmom

Photo also from allrecipes.

FUNNY CARAMEL APPLE PEOPLE

8 wooden sticks
8 medium apples
1 pkg (14-oz) caramels
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
gumdrops
lifesavers
narrow licorice strings

Wash and dry apples. Push a wooden stick into the stem end of each apple; set aside.

In a large (4-cup) glass measuring cup combine the caramels and the water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes. Stir with a rubber spatula and cook on high another 30 to 60 seconds or more until caramels are completely melted. Stir until smooth.

Put the mini chocolate chips on waxed paper; set aside. Dip each apple into the caramel mixture using a spoon to spread the caramel evenly over each apple. Hold the apple over the caramel while doing this so the excess caramel can drip into the cup. Dip the bottom of the apples into the chocolate chips for hair. Use the gumdrops for eyes, noses, etc. The lifesavers make great ears and/or mouths. Narrow red licorice strings make good mouths, black make a good handlebar mustache.

Note: Candy corn could also be used for eyes, nose, jack-l-lantern mouths, especially for Halloween parties. Chopped nuts would also make good hair. For grandma and grandpa, white chocolate chips could be used for grey hair. Butterscotch chips could be used for blond hair. Use your imagination and have fun.