Caramel Apples

Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:15 min
Yeild:12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup Crisco® Butter Shortening
  • OR 1/4 stick Crisco® Butter Shortening Sticks
  • 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
  • 12 medium McIntosh apples, washed and stemmed
  • 12 wooden craft sticks
  • TOPPINGS (OPTIONAL)
  • Chocolate covered toffee bits, crushed macadamia nuts, crushed peanuts, seasonal sprinkles, tinted coconut, chopped candy corn

PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:

  1. 1.
    LINE a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Fill about half of a large bowl with ice water.

  2. 2.
    COMBINE cream, sugar, shortening and corn syrup in heavy-bottomed saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking until temperature registers 245°F on a candy thermometer, about 10 to 12 minutes.

  3. 3.
    REMOVE from heat; briefly plunge saucepan into ice water to stop caramel from cooking. Remove from ice water; let mixture cool for a few minutes.

  4. 4.
    INSERT a craft stick into the stem end of each apple. Dip 1 apple into the caramel; coat the top and sides with caramel using a spoon. Transfer to prepared baking sheet to cool. Add toppings, if desired, or garnish as desired. Repeat with remaining apples.

  5. TIP
    Use 5-inch craft sticks, 1⁄4-inch in diameter. Serve in seasonal cupcake liners, if desired.
Caramel Apples