Hello, ghosts, goblins and fellow foodies! I have a fun one for you today, just in time for Halloween and straight to you from the table of my costume party this past Saturday. Even an entire lazy Sunday wasn’t enough time to recuperate from the weekend’s festivities, but hey. We’ll sleep when we’re dead, right?
These caramel apples were one of my favorite treats from the party and staged a nice scene on the candlelit table with mountains of other mouthwatering, devilishly delicious goodies. They were very simple to make, too. Just grab a melon baller, two deep red apples and scoop away until you have a nice, rounded “mini apples.” Make a homemade caramel sauce, dunk in the little apples and coat the bottoms with crushed peanuts. Voila!
I used twigs (scrubbed clean) from my yard to make for a really rustic, spooky presentation and these didn’t fail to impress. They were absolutely adorable and sinfully scrumptious! Try them for your Halloween party or other fall festivities, and I think you’d agree!
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Mini Caramel Apples
Yield: Makes approximately 16-20
Ingredients:
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
About 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
2 large red apples
About 20 slender but sturdy food-safe twigs or craft sticks
Directions:
Heat corn syrup, sugar, butter, and 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. cream in a 3-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat until mixture reaches 275° on a candy thermometer*, about 15 minutes, stirring often with the thermometer or a wooden spoon once it starts to brown. While caramel boils, prepare the remaining ingredients (you'll need to have everything ready before beginning step 3).
Grease a baking sheet and set aside. Place peanuts in a large, deep plate such as a pie pan and set aside. Using a 1-in. melon baller, cut apples into balls (you should get 8 to 10 from each apple). Push thickest end of a twig into each apple ball through skin side to center. Set on paper towels to absorb moisture.
Remove caramel from heat when at 275° and pour in remaining 1/4 cup cream, stirring until very smooth (it will come together after about 1 minute) and being careful of any splattering caramel.
Dip apple balls into caramel, making sure caramel comes over edges of skin and letting excess drip off. Dip bottom of each ball into peanuts, then set on the baking sheet to cool.
*You'll need an accurate candy thermometer. Check it by immersing in boiling water; it should read 212°. If it's a few degrees too high or low, cook the caramel to a corresponding few degrees more or less. If it's way off, get a new thermometer.
Make ahead: Chill until ready to serve, up to 3 hours ahead. Serve at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Adapted from My Recipes
Audra says
These are adorable Georgia! I posted Caramel Apples today too hee hee. I love the bite sized version though! So festive. Now we just need to see a picture of you in costume :)
Anna says
this is the cutest thing i’ve seen in a WHILE!!!!
Susan @ Seafield Farm says
These are too adorable. What a great idea! I often feel like a whole caramel apple requires too much commitment and valuable stomach space. These are the perfect remedy!
Angela @ Mind Over Batter says
These are absolutely adorable! These wouldn’t make it in my house. I’d eat them all in one sitting…
Sara says
Wow, so cute! I love these – totally perfect for a classier halloween. :)
Tina says
Gorgeous! You are so creative :)
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray says
How adorable! Love this!
warmvanillasugar says
I especially love the twigs in these! So cute. I can’t wait to make my own!
savoringtoday.com says
Brilliant! That belongs on the cover of a magazine, Martha would love it :) Sounds good too, I like the idea of not having to deal with the core, just tasty little bites of deliciousness.
sweets says
You are so clever Georgia, beautiful presentation.
Paula says
I’ve never seen these before and they are perfect for a party. One full caramel apple is too much for me but these adorable minis are just perfect.
Sweetums says
You did it again, Georgia ! What a beautiful and poetic autumn presentation. You are such a talented food stylist :)
Kelsey says
These are gorgeous and rustic and just the right amount of indulgence. Thank you for sharing!
danellesdish says
These look awesome. What a neat idea.
Yasmeen says
Lovely idea, Georgia! I love this bite-sized version. I adore caramel apples, but the truth is that I can never finish a whole one since they’re so, so sweet. I think I’ve found a solution :)
Bestfoodies says
Wow, such a creative idea! My family would love these. Thanks for sharing!
Jenna says
Wow, these look so beautiful–like something out of a Martha Stewart magazine! I’m sure they’re scrumptious as well as good-lookin’. =)
Erin says
These are adorable! I love using little apples so the caramel to apple ratio is good!
Stephanie says
Georgia, I absolutely LOVE this idea! I am a huge fan of caramel apples, but I often find them hard to eat. This is the PERFECT solution to that problem. These might have to make an appearance on my fall table!
Ulysses says
Would you be serious about exchanging hyperlinks?