Caramel Apples

My boys are being homeschooled, and Friday, we are having a Halloween party. On Halloween, we are playing games, having these caramel apples, and watching a Halloween show. Trick or Treating has been canceled in the city we live in. So, I have lots of games to come up with this week.

Axzl has been so excited about Halloween. Saturday, our church had a Trunk or Treat in a field. Ax counted down the days for a week. I think he was disappointed; there weren't a lot of people there. Although, we did meet one kid that was the same age as each of my kids. One little boy's name is Legend; he is the same age as Zeek. I loved Legend's name.

I buy popsicle stick packages at the dollar store for these apples. In Utah, I could get a pack of 100 for $1; I think I can only get 50 for $1 here. Or you can use caramel apple sticks.

I put the popsicle sticks in the apple's bottom and have the apple sit on its top. Obviously, remove the stem first. I feel that the apples sit better on the wider base.

You wash and dry the apples to remove the waxy residue; the wax can prevent the caramel from sticking to the apples. Also, you want the apples to be room temperature so that caramel doesn't set too quickly.

Caramel Apples

Ingredients

6 medium-sized apples (I use Fuji and Honeycrisp), washed and dried well

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 cups brown sugar

1 Tablespoon + 2 1/4 teaspoon corn syrup

7oz of a can of sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoons vanilla

Directions

Puncture the bottom of the apple with a popsicle stick and set aside. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter completely, then add sweetened condensed milk, both syrups, and vanilla. Cook, constantly stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Insert a candy thermometer into the pan (without touching the bottom) and continue to heat, stirring, until the temperature reaches 238 degrees. Remove caramel from heat.

Wait a minute or two and then begin to dip apples, one by one, using the craft stick as a handle. Place the caramel apples on a cookie sheet with waxed paper and place in the fridge to cool. You can roll your apples in any other toppings if desired. Enjoy.