Homemade Caramel Apples
Halloween weekend is upon us and if you’re looking for a last-minute treat to whip up for some of your favorite Trick or Treaters, these caramel apples will definitely fit the bill. Growing up, I adored caramel apples and although I only ate maybe one per year, I was always excited to try a different flavor. The candied apples though? With that shiny red coating? I was never a fan. Give me caramel apples all the way! I had always wanted to try my hand at making these – you can get so creative with it! – and while on a recent trip to Toronto we picked one up as a souvenir of sorts (truthfully, more of a “We Survived Toronto” t-shirt substitute). It was an “apple pie” version, with the caramel covered in white chocolate and then rolled in a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Pure bliss. So that one was definitely on my list to recreate, and many other ideas starting flowing. These really aren’t very difficult and don’t take much time, and would be a blast to do with any kiddos you know.
Okay, so these aren’t 100% homemade; I cheated and used the little caramel melting bits that you can buy at the store.
Since it was my first time I figured I’d just use those and then next time do a homemade caramel sauce. I am a little mad at myself for not just going all out because the caramel was okay, but I’m certain that a homemade caramel would be more than fabulous.
Let me introduce you to my inaugural varieties:

The Apple Pie Caramel Apple (white chocolate rolled in a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture)
The Snickers Caramel Apple (milk chocolate rolled in chopped peanuts)
The Reese’s Caramel Apple (milk chocolate rolled in peanut butter chips)
The Rocky Road Caramel Apple (dark chocolate rolled in mini semisweet chips, chopped walnuts and miniature marshmallows – inspired by a favorite ice cream concoction at Marble Slab)
So, give me the scoop… What is your favorite flavor of caramel apple? Or do you prefer candied? Have you ever made them at home?

Homemade Caramel Apples
Ingredients:
2 bags Caramel Bits
10 Granny Smith apples
Assorted chocolates for melting
Assorted candies, chips, etc. for rolling
Directions:
1. Wash the apples, remove the stems (and any stickers!) and refrigerate them overnight.
2. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spray with a non-stick cooking spray. Insert wooden or lollipop sticks into the center of each apple.
3. In a small saucepan, melt the caramel according to the package directions. One at a time, dip the apples into the caramel, swirling and using a spoon to get it covered. Place on the baking sheet and repeat with all of the apples. Place the apples in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
4. In a 2-cup measuring cup (this works perfectly for this!), melt whatever chocolate you are using. I used the microwave at 50% power in 30-second increments. Have your candies and chips ready. Dip the caramel apple into the chocolate, covering it as much as possible, and then roll it in the desired toppings.
5. Apples will keep for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Note: I add 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening per 1 cup of chocolate chips when melting. It keeps the chocolate thin (no clumping) and it dries nice and smooth.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
All images and text ยฉ
Here in Ireland we don’t have Caramel bits. Looks like I’ll have to look up a home made caramel sauce! Hope they turn out as nice as these look!
They all look SO good!!! Caramel apples make me weak! I got hooked at the rocky mountain chocolate factory while in Utah a couple years ago.
All of your caramel apples look divine- I love them all! But I also love the bright red candied apples. They were what I looked forward to every summer when the carnival came to my little town. (And cotton candy of course.) :)
i’m like 99.9% sure you bought your caramel apple at the rocky mountain chocolate factory across from the hockey hall of fame.
That’s exactly where I bought it Robyn! On our way out of the Hockey Hall of Fame! :)
These look great, and I love all of the different toppings you used! Speaking of caramel, I just made and posted about some sea salt caramels today… I think you would really like them! :)
excellent recipe!!! well done!!! :D
oh yum! all the different flavors look fantastic! i havent had a caramel apple in years, but i’m craving one now!
Did you get your Toronto one from “Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory” it’s their speciality. Amazing.
Yes, I did, Abby!
I’m actually having a Caramel Apple Party at my house tonight! We have caramel, mini reese’s pieces (one of my favorites!), chocolate chips, and maybe a few other things to dip them in. I’m very excited!!
To Die For!!! These look amazing! By far my favorite fall treat. Great job!
What’s the reasoning behind refrigerating the apples overnight? Just curious. I am going to have a caramel apple making party for the kids! What fun!! BTW, love your blog!
Hi Nicki, Refrigerating the apples overnight gets them nice and cold, which helps the caramel to adhere better. Enjoy your party!
WOW! These apples look great! I can not wait for you to make the caramel homemade and share the recipe,I know it will be wonderful ! Happy Halloween everyone!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Halloween to you Tina!
There’s still time to make these… YUM!
Any tips for dealing with the messiness of the caramel? I tried these last year, and it was such a mess!
Hmm I didn’t have any mess issues. I just dipped the apple, let the excess drip off the bottom, gave it a little swirl, then placed them on the lined baking sheet.
This year I made caramel apples dipped in semi-sweet chocolate and rolled in Heath toffee bits. YUM!
ohhhh, reeses caramel apple
I am definitely a caramel anything over a red candy apple! In the town I live in there is an ice cream shop that makes chocolate covered caramel apples with every kind of coating imaginable on the out side…they are absolutely the most delicious I have ever had! Never made any at home…remember the caramel discs that use to be out to wrap around the apple? My mom would buy them for me and I would just eat the caramel disc and never make the caramel apple…lol
I agree with you. Caramel apples beat the red candy apples for awesomeness hands down! All of these apple look amazing.
Reason #314 why it’s a blessing that photos don’t have calories.
Those are sooooo cool! Love them!