Caramel Apples

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 6 popsicles sticks
• 6 medium granny smith apples (or other tart apples)
• 1 1/2 cups m&m's (and reeses pieces, sweet coconut, pretzels, etc)
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• coarse sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
• 1 full-size chocolate bar, melted

Recipe

• 1 insert popsicles sticks into stem side of apples.
• 2 place apples on a silicone mat or lightly greased foil-lined baking sheet.
• 3 put candy topping into a bowl or, if desired, sort different options into several bowls and set aside.
• 4 in a large saucepan, over medium-high, melt the butter and add the cream, corn syrup, brown sugar and a pinch of salt.
• 5 bring mixture to a boil stirring 'constantly' with a heat proof spatula, and cook, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan, until mixture reaches 246 to 250 degrees on a candy thermometer, lower for softer and higher for stiffer caramel.
• 6 immediately remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
• 7 carefully transfer the caramel to a heat-proof bowl that holds at least 4 cups.
• 8 working quickly and grasping the stick, dip an apple into the hot caramel, allowing any excess to drain, then immediately sprinkle with a pinch of the sea salt (if using) and press the apple into topping or toppings.
• 9 sprinkle with coconut (if using).
• 10 place coated apple, stick end up, on mat or baking sheet.
• 11 repeat with remaining apples.
• 12 after the caramel cools, use a fork to drizzle with melted chocolate.
• 13 cool at room temperature until chocolate sets.
• 14 serve immediately or store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• 15 note: all candy you use should equal a 'total' of 1 1/2 cups.