Anyone have any tips on making caramel apples? I read somewhere that you can dip apples in boiling water to get the wax off? I guess this is supposed to help the caramel stick better. Has anyone heard of this? I really want to make some for a bake sale at my son's school but have never attempted before.

I'm so glad you asked this! The last time I tried making them I scrubbed great big Granny Smith apples in hot water with Dawn dish soap. I used Kraft caramels and they looked great, but by the next morning the caramel had thinned out at the top and was piling up thick at the bottom. They're a fortune to make for nothing!

Did you put them in the fridge overnight or did you just set them out? Were the apples completely dry before you coated them in caramel? Sorry for all the questions. I just want to get it right the first time b/c like you said, they are not cheap to make.

Hi ~ thanks for asking.

Yes, they were completely dry for over a day, and no, I never put them in the fridge. If I did keep them cold at first, would that keep them from oozing later? I had planned to wrap them as little gifts. I drool every time I see a candy store at the mall here ~ they have dozens of decorated apples sitting out (unrefrigerated) and they look perfect.

WOW-thanks for making me hungry for caramel apples.

adonisthegreek1 those are some really good tips - I've never done apples before, but now that the nieces and nephews are older I thought this would be something fun to try with them.

Thanks for the tips!

I'm new to this site (well not really, but I'm new to posting in the forums!) But I have a great receipe for caramel apples that doesn't use the little wrapped caramels. This receipe is for about 16 small apples. Combine 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup corn syrup and 1/2 cup butter or marg. in sauce pan & bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cook over med heat 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat & stir in 1 teas. vanilla. You have to work quickly to dip each apple & I always, always then dip them half way in coco crispies cereal. I make them every year & we love them. Ofcourse, you can just leave them plain without the cereal too! Good luck! Oh yeah - I just place them on greased foil lined sheets to cool.

Thanks frosty!! I will have to try that!

Frosty, that recipe sounds similar to a recipe for caramels that I used to have. I will try them.
I've always bought the caramels from the store and followed that recipe with success. I only use the Brach's caramels.
Try dipping the apples in caramel, then nuts, then drizzle with chocolate, white and dark. MMMMMMmmmmm!

I just made some Sunday evening, and this morning, most of the caramel has run off. It stayed until last night though. I washed them, dried well, and dipped in Brach's caramels. I'll have to try wit hthe recipe posted!

Frosty, that sounds yummy!!! Will absolutely have to try that!!

http://www.countrykitchensa.com/ckideas/ckIdea.aspx?Occ1Id=&ideaId=94&idea=148&occasion=Halloween

good ideas at this site.

I have never had caramel apples before ( only toffee apples ) but they sound deeelicious !!!
Might just have to try some......kids are going to LOVE me

Adonis? Where do you get the Peter's block of caramel? I'll go for a proven, easy winner rather than risk messing up the recipe lol.

And thank you everybody for help!!!

Now I'm dying for one of these!
So does the Peter's caramel taste like the wrapped ones at the store (like Brach's) or does it taste like homemade caramel??

Has anyone made their own caramel? There is a recipe for caramel dipped apples on epicurious.com and it has rave reviews. I think I'm going to try that. I'll let you know how it comes out. My main concern is the caramel falling off the apple.

jenhos I would love to hear how your apples turn out. Good luck!

I have a recipe for homemade caramel I love. After dipping I set them in a tray of nuts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or M&M s to cool.

I use this caramel, it is non-flowing so it will stay on apple and not slide off. It is awesome. I will making caramel apples for my daughters bday as favors.

http://countrykitchensa.com/catalog/product.aspx?T=1&productId=618987

I also buy my sticks and bag their too.

the caramel melts smoothly in the microwave.

Jenhos, let me know how your caramel recipe turns out. I have tried several and cannot find one that works. They all seem to call for too much butter and my caramel slides right off the apple. The caramel itself tastes wonderful, but it's a bit greasy for the apples. I have thrown out so many batches of caramel trying to find the right recipe, so now I just stick to the Peter's. it works wonderfully.

CK Products carries their own caramel bits. They rock!! No unwrapping of each caramel. They actually look like baked beans when you start to melt them. I keep several 1lb. bags of these on hand at all times.

My cake supply shop had the Peter's block! It was $19. Yippieee!!! Can't wait to try them! Thank you again!!!

I already posted this but am still wondering....does the Peter's taste like Brach's or the small packaged ones???? Or is it more like homemade?

Thanks so much Adonisthegreek1!!! I need to make caramel apples for my daughters senior class at the fall foliage festival they have in town. I will try to find the Peter's caramel. You have some pretty good tips to make them I just hope that I can keep the caramel on them.

Thanks to everyones tips here, I have to try them all!!!! My kids will be super happy!!!