Caramel Apples

Caramel Apples

 

These sweet Little Treats are the best way to feed children their daily dose of Apples. This is a very common treat in United States, traditionally prepared in most American household and enjoyed by everyone, not just children. These caramel coated treats are specially found during Halloween. But I loved the sweet caramelly taste so much that I prepare and keep a batch for myself in the fridge. This is really a favourite with both my sons. Try it and I'm sure your children will love it too.

 

Preparation time : 15 minutes

Cooking time      : 25 - 30 minutes

Difficulty             : Very Easy

Serves                 :   6

 

Ingredients :

• 6 Apples
• 6 Popsicle sticks, craft sticks or chopsticks
• 2 cups Heavy cream (used Amul, if you are in India) 
• 2 cups Brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 cup Dark Corn Syrup (See Note 2)

 

Method :

 1) Wash and stem the apples.

 

 2) Insert sticks into the stem end of each apple to form a handle.

 

 3) Grease a baking sheet with butter or line it with parchment paper and set aside.

 

 4) Add the cream, sugar, butter and corn syrup/Honey to a heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.

 

 5) Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture and continue to boil, stirring frequently, until the temperature reaches 245°F, about 10 to 15 minutes. (See Note)

 

6) Remove the saucepan from heat and set aside to cool somewhat, continuing to stir.

 

7) Dip each apple into the caramel, twirling it and using a spoon to cover all sides.

 

8) As you finish each apple, set them on the greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. (If you are covering them with nuts then this is the right time to do it. Keep a try ready with chopped nuts. Roll your apples after you have finished caramelling them)

 

9) When finished with all apples, chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the caramel.

 

Note :

 

As we are not that professional in kitchen and don't use candy thermometer  handy, the best way to check if the caramel is ready... keep a bowl of water handy, drop a large drop of ready caramel into the water. If it forms a clot and floats, your caramel is ready. If you see it dispersing, it needs to be cooked further. Ideally this takes 10 - 15 minutes, so check your caramel around 10 - 13 minutes.

 

Another way to test it is the thread test. take a little bit of caramel in a spoon, dip your index finger in it. The caramel syrup will stick to your finger. Now join your thumbe to it and try to pull it apart. you will see a string forming in between two fingers. This means your candy is done. If it does not form a string, that means you have to heat it further.

 

Note 2 :

 

You can make your own Corn Syrup : You'll need

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (use dark brown sugar for Dark Corn Syrup)

1/3 cup water

Pot for boiling

 

Mix the ingredients in a heavy pot.

Bring the mixture to a slow boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer.

Let the mixture simmer over low heat until the mixture gets thick and syrupy. Corn syrup should simmer for about 3 minutes.

Read more: How to Make Your Own Corn Syrup | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2278308_make-own-corn-syrup.html#ixzz25Ee5ihZ4

Super Ideas :

After dipping the apples in the caramel, they can be rolled in chopped peanuts, chopped walnuts

Melted white chocolate is often dripped over the finished apples