Yesterday with the kids we made this Mini Caramel Apples Recipe and had so much fun doing it! The best part is checking out my total Pinterest Fail with the first batch we made. Didn’t change the taste at all and they were eaten super fast no matter what they looked like.
With the melon baller just scoop out ball sections of the apple. The scooped out apple was fought over by my kids! They actually were coming up with awesome ideas of things to do with it.
This was about 4 large apples scooped. Use a hard, crisp apple when making these. I think green is the best.
When they were all scooped I placed them on a cookie sheet with wax paper and stuck cake pop/sucker sticks in them. This is a good job for a kid.
Then my older girls melted the caramel. We followed the directions on the package of Kraft caramels. Sweet recipes for the holiday and other special days can be found on this weekly ad.
Then you dip them in the caramel. I placed mine back on a greased sheet of wax paper.
Our first batch did not turn out real well… All the caramel completely dripped off the apples. This was after I had even held them for a while rotating them and letting them cool before I put them on the sheet.
Here are a few tips for getting the caramel to stick:
- Let the caramel cool BEFORE you dip the apples. It has to thicken a little and not be so hot.
- Apples should be room temperature.
- If there is still skin on the apple, make sure the waxy skin is gone. OR boil the apples whole for about 30 seconds to get the wax off, then scoop them out.
We had MUCH better luck after doing the first 2 tips. Find ingredients in the latest Publix weekly ad. If you live in Australia, you can prefer Woolworths catalogue.
Also, don’t store them in the fridge, they tend to “sweat” and the caramel can come off. These were so fun to make and so cute when they were done, that we are making more for their teachers but this time with chocolate and nuts as well!
:: Items Used ::
Caramel Sheets – These work the best! I found these just recently!
Melon Baller – Prices Vary
Double Boiler – The T-Fal one is on sale cheap!
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I love those!!! great for little hands!! love em!!
Thats what I was thinking!
Can you se carmel dip like from the appl
e orchard?
Yes! I try ed it
They look really good.
they do sou much
Will they last overnight? If not eaten the day you Make them?
Ditto, I’m also curious if they’ll last over night! I want to prepare them Friday for a Saturday gathering.
Yummy good for my little ones
Has anyone tried over night yet? I see others have asked, but I see no reply.
Yes I want to eat them over night too
I tried these after reading all the comments. Like everyone else the caramel just slid off. I tried the boiling for 30 secs… don’t. I tried the powdered sugar… don’t. The only way I got these to work was to dip in melted chocolate first, let harden, then drizzle caramel over the top of chocolate. I also sat them on almond pieces and they were delicious and looked fantastic! Good luck everyone
Thank you for the heads up!
great tips did you make them the day before ?
Hey Kasey,
Yes, the caramel slid off of mine too. Chocolate stuck fine. I will try with cooling the Caramel. The guy at the cake decorating store suggested I flash boil the apples as well, however, they were no longer crisp. Not mushy, just not crisp…….thanks for the tips!
Great idea. I bet really yummy too!!
What a disaster, from beginning to end! First I couldn’t find the little caramel squares at the grocery store. So then I had to go to Sur La Table for the cake pop sticks and lucked out at Target for the candy (which wasn’t, by the way, in the candy aisle…but in the baking aisle!). So once I finally had the ingredients, I started melting the caramel and forming the mini apple balls with the melon baller. After about 8 balls, though, the tool broke! (Lesson: granny smith apples are much harder than cantaloupe!) I then made the rest of the balls with the other end (much smaller). The challenges didn’t stop here… Next I learned that there is a very small window within which the temperature of the caramel is right to cling to the apples. Essentially, I could coat about 5-7 balls at a time and then needed to reheat the caramel. But wait, there’s more! I noticed that as I coated more apples, the coating on the first apples was starting to slide off. Keep in mind that I specifically researched tips ahead of time and read that you should not refrigerate them and that you should wash the skin well to remove any wax. Check check. I then tried to rescue the apples by coaxing the caramel back on to the apples with my fingers. In the process, though, I realized that I didn’t grease the parchment paper and the apples were not coming off easily. Coating them with coconut helped keep them from sticking too much. The caramel slid off again and I gave up. Never again.
What are the beads on the bottom? Where did you purchase them?
I got them at Target, they were in the fall candy for decorating. They are little candy balls in fall colors, so they are editable.
The recipe I have calls for you to use butterscotch chips instead of carmel. I also tried carmel and had a simular experiance as your first batch. The butterscotch did not have any problems sliding off the apples.
Great tip!
good idea!
Like butterscotch chips as in like chocolate chips ? Lol cause I like butterscotch and that sounds amazing 🥰
Have you by chance thought of doing this with the candy apple mix? Do you think it would work just as good? We are not big fans of caramel.
That would only work if eaten immediately. The hot sugar syrup will par-cook the Apple (since their so small) inside if left out for a while the juice from the apple will melt the sugar coating.
You might be able to use lady apples. They are tiny, but you would be able to leave the skin on.
This is so cute. I’m gonna try this for my nephew’s party this weekend. Thanks for the tutorial. I would try dipping the apples in corn starch or powdered sugar before coating with the caramel. Like when you coat chicken or onion rings in flour before dipping it in the wet batter.
Hey! Why dip them in cornstarch or powdered sugar, just curious because I want to try these for my baby shower.
If you don’t store in fridge, where do I store until my party time?
I would say they could just sit on a counter, both apples and caramel are things that don’t need refrigerated. And the caramel coating the apples would help prevent the browning effect on the apple flesh, since oxygen shouldn’t be able to reach the apple.
I would like to know about candy apples as well – I think I may try it!!
I was thinking of making these as a party favor for about 80 ppl. Would this work if I made them the night before, cooled them and wrap them in plastic gift bags. Will it keep well?
I would be scared. Honestly. The apples get weepy I am not really sure how to describe it. although, people do it with big caramel apples all the time.
The whole caramel apples still have their peel on them which I think might make them more “stable” over the little apple balls that have the apple unprotected by the peel.
Very good point!
try them fondue style at a party. white chocolate, nuts, sprinkles, etc…
Great idea!!! Im gonna use my small rice cooker on warm and have lil dishes for toppings. I heard if you spray lemOn juice on friut it prevents from turning brown, cause that would help too. Im gonna to do for thanksgiving
Rinse with 7 up then you won’t have sour from lemon. It will keep from turning as well
These would be cute for a class Halloween party! Do you have any storage suggestions? I would have to make them the night before.
I’m going to make this for a work luncheon. Should I make these the night before or the morning of. I don’t want the apples turning brown and being gross but I saw that you weren’t suppose to refrigerate them. Not sure what to do
Soaking apples in water with some fresh squeezed lime juice will prevent apples from turning brown.
DIP IN LEMON JUICE, I DO THIS WITH MY BANANAS SO THEY DON’T TURN BROWN, WHEN PUTTING IN MY DESSERTS.
Oh goodness, I am obsessed with “mini” things and this just went to the top of my mini list. I love caramel apples and these mini ones are beyond cute. Thank you so much for sharing and for linking up to Thrifty Thursday.
So, I tried this once before and the caramel slid off. So I followed your tips and made sure that the apples were room temperature and that the caramel was not as hot. I did three sets of mini apples: 1) I just dipped the mini apple in caramel and set on greased waxed paper. 2) I patted the mini apple with a towel (to soak up juices that squirted out when inserting the stick) and then dipped in caramel. 3) I patted the mini apple then rolled it in powdered sugar, then dipped in caramel and set on greased waxed paper. Results: all of the caramel slid off. I did in pattern of 1, 2, 3 so that the caramel would be in similar temperature for each set. Still slid off. I have no idea what to do now. I think I might just give up. Suggestions?
Oh no! I am not sure at this point. I am going to google and see if there are any other suggestions.
my caramel ran off as well. im sad
Try the butterscotch chips instead like someone else said she used. That worked for her!
less water in carmel
I used 2tbsp of milk, not water….they’re in the freezer…we’ll see if the Carmel runs off….update later
Maybe try heavy whipping cream instead of water.
I found mini apples at my store (Raley’s) in Sacramento, CA! They’re called Crimson Gold & they’re organic & they are SWEET & delicious!. They’re in a 1 lb bag & they’re from Cuyama Orchrds of So. California. I will attempt with these with lots of prayer! Wish me luck!
I have made these with butterscotch and chocolate chips instead of caramel, and had no problems at all! I dipped some in nut topping, and some in sprinkles. They were delicious! Caramel just doesn’t want to stick to the cut part of the apple.
What is the recipe for the butterscotch? Just melted butterscotch chips?
If I coat mine with butterscotch will it keep the apple safe from browning the following day like caramel would?
I wonder if you could use the Carmel apple flat squares you buy in the store to just “wrap” around the balls like clay. You could spread your own Carmel until set like that and cut out circles the right size to wrap around your individual needs. Not hot…so shouldn’t drop off.
Then dip the bottoms in a little bit of heated stuff and dip in non periles…..theoretically…should be easy! I’m gonna try them!
any luck with this route? This is exactly what I was thinking of doing
We did all of the suggestions too. And the caramel came off each time. Lots of work—for no results….never did get any.
Using a clean kitchen towel, cup each apple in your towel-covered palm to dry off the juices immediately before you dip it into the caramel, you will find the caramel will adhere better to the raw apple surface that way.
Same thing happened to me last year! Ended up with a wax paper sheet full of caramel womp womp. So we just ate the sad looking little apples and dipped them from the sheet of wax paper. Pain in the hiney lol
Dry the apple off… Roll out one caramel square think enough to cover the apple and center it over the stick push it thru the stick and wrap the caramel around the bottom of the apple and seal it with the ends of the caramel. I am not sure how long they last because ours were all gone in the next few hours! They were good!
I read on another site you should place them in the refrigerator before dipping and carmel should be cool have not try them yet going to this weekend
Same here … Tried all levels of temperature on the carmel … warm and luke warm carmel just slid right off of the mini-apples … cooler than that, and the carmel does not go on at all. Very frustrating 🙁
All the caramel fell of mine even when I use the tip that you put. Could you please tell me how to keep the caramel on the apple?
Use chocolate! Seriously. I’m not a fan of caramel at all. But chocolate and mini-anything is great! Seriously, there is no problem with chocolate staying on the cut (balled out) apples. Anither commenter started you can easily decorate with chopped, tiny candy balls, even dip in caramel after the chocolate set! Delicious!!!
I have looked everywhere for this recipe. These are super cute. They look so easy to do, too. I can’t wait to makes these!
Hi,
These are super cute. Tried it twice carmel didnt sick both times. I put lemon juice on them i am wondering if that was the problem. Also how cool is cool for the carmel? Did you double dip? I would have loved for it to work.
Thanks!
These look wonderful. I am so happy you shared your “fail” and all your tips for success with my apples. I am so impressed with this, I plan to share it on Monday on Celebrate and Decorate, I hope it sends some more people over to discover your wonderful recipe and blog!
I made these for a party. I cooked the caramels with a candy thermometer to a medium ball stage so that it was firmer. They were great for the first hour or so….then they started to “melt”(everything slid off.) So you need to do then at the last minute and they turn out great….I also set them in mini muffin(or candy) papers.
great tips- thanks!
Great Tips!! Mini Muffin wraps & dip at last minutes before event!! Thanks!
After letting the caramel cool down and you have your dipped apples on wax paper, throw them in the freezer for about 4 minutes. Just so the caramel will harden quicker without it all melting off. Mine turn out perfect every time.
That sounds like the ticket. I was just getting ready to give up this idea for a party I am hosting.
These are just too adorable! I’m going to try them with the freezer trick like the one commenter suggested. Pinned!
Would these hold up well overnight? I would love to make these for a fall baby shower, but I was wondering if you’d like they would last.
I would make a batch ahead of time to test and see.
Has anyone made a batch and kept them over night?
Jae’s tip about dipping the balls into corn starch really worked for me! Pat the individual apple pops dry with a paper towel, dip into corn starch, shake loose starch off, then dip into the melted caramel. I also chilled them right away until the party. However, as they approached room temp, the coating tends to slowly pool around the bottom…so don’t make them too early…and keep them chilled until serving time. I also used four finishing options…a final dip into crushed peanuts, crushed pretzels, nonpareils, or mini-chocolate chips. They were a HUGE hit!!!
Can you just dip them in melted chocolate instead of the caramel? Like you would do if making a chocolate covered strawberry?
Oh you probably could!
I did a trail run. Used same brand of caramels and it still slid off. Caramel was cooled and truthfully made it more difficult to try and dip. I did everything! Peeled, cooled caramel and room temperature! What can I do?! Please help! My fall party is this Saturday 🙁
Same thing w/ me, Presley. Warm or cooled, the caramel slid off. If I cooled the caramel further it was too hard to dip the apples. Not sure what other tricks there are to try but this was very disappointing and I wouldn’t recommend this “recipe”. If you look at other sites for mini caramel apples you’ll notice most everyone has the same problem of the caramel not sticking to the apples.
Tiffany, it seemed the caramel was not sticking because the apples were wet. Did you dry your apples prior to dipping in caramel?
Yes I did dry them VERY well. I had to try a few different ways and that seemed to make a big difference.
Caramel wraps work wellm just cut them down to size.
That is what has ended up working the best!
Total fail, did all the tips suggested & caramel does NOT stick, don’t waste your time…very frustrating.
I tried these today and did all the tips. Totally flopped! Not sure if the apples need to be drIed off prior to dipping. I used homemade carmel so maybe that was the problem. They sure tasted good!!
I can’t get the caramel to stick. I have tried all the tips, and am getting very frustrated! The caramel just keeps sliding off the apples! ):
I followed everything you said to do but my caramel still dripped off my apples. I want to make these for a party. Any other tips?
People are having the best luck with the caramel wrap sheets!
I had same problems. Tried all the tips left by others and ended up with a MESS. Next I am going to try and savage the remaining caramel. I remelted it and put tsp. on to waxed paper and spread it out. When it stiffens enough to release I will try using the blobs like caramel wraps. Wish me luck!
Well the verdict is in. After I had to wash the waxed paper off the back of the blobs, I put the caramel around a dried and cornstarch apple chunk. Within an hour at room temp (68F) the caramel had made a slimy blob on the table and the apple was nude. Think the problem is the cream and not cooking to a medium or hard ball stage. In any case think the apple reacts with the sugar ( much as it does in an apple pie) to form a liquid inside which enables the candy to fall off.Will not waste any more time and money on this although we had many more yummy failures to eat than is good for us.
Thank you for letting us know 🙁
do you know how many days in advance you can make them?
So…does no one want to know what the little bits are on the bottom of the little apples? they are in the picture but not in the recipe ….. bummer
They were “fall sprinkles” that my Kroger store had.
I used the Carmel wraps as you said worked best at the bottom and for using these it says to put in microwave. Well when I put them in the microwave the apples got soft and somewhat mushy and the sticks fell out. What to do? Also I am doing a demonstrative speech on this so I am going to have to make some in advance. Where do I store them?
I stored mine in the fridge, but the will “sweat” a little. I never tried the wraps personally. But that seems to be the best way to go and also to make sure that you get as much moisture off them as possible before covering.
I am making these tomorrow morning and hoping they’ll last to 6:00 p.m prayers that the caramel doesn’t fall off. Making them for my church vacation bible school!
I love the MINI part of this recipe! Great idea.
I’d put those Bute size caramel pieces in the microwave long enough to soften them alot to just mold the candy around the apple on the stick.
I am planning to do these for a Nov. baby shower. I have read all the reports of failure, caramel sliding off the apples. I found one recipe for these that suggests that you dip them in chocolate to begin with, and then dip in the caramel. They said there was NO problem with “sliding” if you do this. I will try it. I like the bottom dipped in chocolate as well and will try this just for a variation in the overall appearance. Since the baby will be a boy, I may then coat with blue sprinkles after I dip the bottom in chocolate. Stay tuned… -Jill
Jill, did the chocolate dip first before caramel work?
Did it work doing them that way Jill?
These were so good! Maybe not worth the 3 stitches I had to get bc the melon baller slipped.. but they were delicious! Y’all be carefull!!
oh my heavens! I am so sorry!
These are super cute! I’m working on planning a teen banquet for the end of October, and I think these will be going onto the menu!
totally did not work. Just a puddle of caramel on the paper. We ended up drizzling the caramel on the apples….tastes the same, just doesn’t look as pretty. And we did all the suggestions…..ah well. unpin.
We can’t get the stuff to stay on the apples . we were using them for my reception Saturday
I had the same problem. All the Carmel just piled at the bottom. Carmel was cooled and apples were room temp. Not sure what happened. Made the for a birthday party and now I got to find another treat. 🙁
I have had the same problem before, so if there are no peanut allergies, i used that. Make sure you dry the apple pieces and refrigerate. I dipped them in like sprinkles and chopped nuts.. look exactly like the real thing!
Has anyone tried these using the caramel dip that’s sold in the tubs, if so, did it work? And did you have to warm it up or thin it out any? Thanks! 🙂
No, I don’t think that would work. It isn’t the right consistency.
I tried a few times to let the caramel completely cool and have no skin on my apples and my caramel still would never stick 🙁
I just made these as I’m doing a bake sale in the fall. Thought these would be really cute. However I tried all the suggestions with no luck. I might try another flavor of something. I dont want everything chocolate. That’s why i thought this would be perfect. Great idea, just wish it had worked.
Couple of things 1. I wonder if you dried the apple ball with paper towel the Carmel would stay on better. The apples get damp from the juice of the Apple cutting into it. 2. I wonder if you dipped the stick in Carmel and sprinkles or into just the carnel, then into the apple it will stay in better.
These are cute and GOOD!
Wish I would have read ALL the comments in this thread before trying to make these. True to most everyone’s experience, the caramel eventually slid right off the apples no matter what temp or method. NEXT time I’ll try the corn starch method, and/or melted chocolate before the caramel coating. I’ll try anything once. Many things get a 2nd chance. This is one of them. Here’s to a better “next time”.
Dry the apples first then dip them in caramel about 1/4 inch up the stick. This seals the apple in caramel. After a few seconds dip the apple into ice water, it sets the caramel, then place in the freezer for a few minutes. It works! Just make sure the caramel is sealed all around the apple and up the stick, otherwise the water gets between the caramel and the apple and it slides off.
I want to try the “adult” version with Cognac in the sauce caramel.
What a mess! I only wish mine looked so good! The caramel slid right off no matter what I tried. Finally decided to plunge them in ice water to harden and seemed to work. Woke up this morning to a gooey tray of caramel and apple balls on sticks. Trashed the whole mess ?
SAME HERE!!
Do you have any video tutorial of this recipe?