Wash apples in warm to hot water and dry with a towel to remove wax. Chill in refrigerator over night
Place sticks ⅔ the way into the core of the apple
Freeze Apples for 20 minutes right before dipping to ensure caramel doesn't slip off apples.
Directions
Measure and weigh Ingredients and gather additional supplies like thermometer, silicone baking sheet, toppings, etc
Over medium heat, melt butter.
Add brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk and corn syrup to melted butter and gently stir with wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
Continue to stir. Mixture will reach a slow boil and begin to change color. Add candy thermometer or digital thermometer. Continue to stir while boiling until mixture reaches 235F - 240F Degrees. Cook over medium heat
Remove from heat when mixture reaches 235-240F Degrees and add vanilla extract and salt. Stir until combined. Mixture will rapidly boil.
Allow caramel to cool to 180F degrees. This is the perfect dipping temperature.
While caramel is cooling, place toppings in small bowls. Place silicone baking sheet in cookie pan.
Caramel can be placed into a crock pot or slow cooker on low to maintain temperature for dipping once it has cooled.
Quickly dip apples in caramel, rolling apples to cover entire apple. This is a quick dip and roll process. 2-3 seconds is all it takes. The cold apple will quickly cool the hot caramel keeping it in place.
scrape excess caramel off the bottom of the apple.
Add toppings by gently rolling apple into small bits of nuts, sprinkles, cookie crumbs etc.
Hold stick upright and allow caramel and toppings to set for 30-45 seconds before placing on silicone baking sheet.
Repeat with next apple. This process is done quickly as caramel will cool with each dipped apple and become hard.
Allow apples to cool before cutting.
If store in refrigerator, Caramel dipped apples will last up to 2 weeks.
Notes
The best apple variety to use is Granny Smith. Honeycrisp and Fuji are also good choices.Topping Ideas
Mini M&M
Chopped Nuts
Coconut
Crushed Oreo Cookies
Crushed Heath Bars
Sprinkles
Holiday Sprinkles
Mini Marshmallows
Mini Chocolate Chips
Granola
Peanut Butter Cups or Reeses Pieces
Extra caramel can be poured onto silicone baking sheet and cooled. Cut with a sharp knife into bite size pieces. Enjoy caramel bites.