Caramel Apple Treat Food

PERFECT CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Mix 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Cook, swirling the pan (do not stir), until the mixture is light amber and a candy thermometer registers 320 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream, then 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Return to low heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool until the caramel is thick enough to coat a spoon. Insert sticks into the stem ends of 6 apples and dip the apples into the caramel, letting the excess drip off. Roll in toppings if desired, then let cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Add the sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir a few times before the sugar begins to boil to combine the ingredients. Attach a candy thermometer to the inside of the pan and bring the syrup to a boil. Cook until the syrup begins to turn an amber color, then swirl the syrup to even out the color. Continue to cook until the syrup is a deep amber and the thermometer reads between 375 and 380 degrees F, then remove from the heat. Carefully pour in the cream and gently whisk to combine. Stir in the butter, vanilla and a pinch of salt until smooth. Keep off the heat but keep the thermometer attached to the pan.
• Pierce the apples through the stem ends about halfway through with candy apple sticks. Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• When the temperature of the caramel reads around 190 degrees F, dip an apple, using the stick as a handle and swirling to coat completely. Allow excess caramel to drip off the bottom and use a spatula to help remove any large amount of caramel, as it will pool around the apple when you set it down to cool on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining apples, gently heating the caramel on the stovetop over low heat, stirring, if it gets too thick for dipping. Allow the caramel to set and cool completely before serving or wrapping apples, about 1 hour. (See Cook's Note.)

CARAMEL APPLE RICE KRISPIES TREATS

Steps:

• In a microwave or in a large saucepan over low heat, melt marshmallows and oil; stir until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in cereal and dried apples. Shape 1/2 cup mixture into an apple-shape. Insert stick into center and let cool to room temperature. Melt caramels according to package directions. Spread caramel onto apples and set on waxed paper to cool.

CARAMEL-APPLE CARAMELS

Steps:

• Lightly oil a 9- by 13-inch rimmed baking pan. Line with parchment with a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides, and oil the parchment. Place a small bowl of warm water and a pastry brush near the cooktop.
• In a small saucepan, combine the cream, apple butter, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Heat over low heat until warm, stirring to combine. Keep warm over low heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the corn syrup to a boil, swirling the pan to evenly heat, about 45 seconds. Add one third of the sugar and poke it into the bubbling syrup with a heatproof spatula to remove all the lumps and evenly moisten. There should be no visible clumps of sugar visible. Repeat with two more additions, then stop poking. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the mixture is very dark amber and registers 320° F on a candy thermometer, about 8 minutes total. If the sugar crystallizes on the sides of the pan, dip the pastry brush in cold water and brush away the crystals.
• When the sugar mixture is ready, remove from the heat and carefully add the warm cream mixture, then the butter. The mixture will bubble up and steam. Immediately whisk until very smooth and emulsified. At this point, the caramel should register 245° F on a candy thermometer.
• Carefully pour the caramel into the prepared pan. If necessary, tilt the pan to form an even layer. Let stand at room temperature until cool and firm, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Lift the caramel out of the pan with the parchment paper and place on a cutting board. Work quickly to cut the caramel into 1-inch x 1/2-inch rectangles and wrap in candy wrappers.
• DO AHEAD: The wrapped caramels can be kept at cool room temperature for up to 1 month.

THE BEST CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Dip apples in boiling water for a few seconds, then dry with paper towels to remove any wax from the peels. Set apples aside; when completely cool, insert a wooden chopstick firmly into the bottom of each apple for a handle.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Stir butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk together in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until a candy thermometer reads 248 degrees F (120 degrees C), 25 to 30 minutes; stir constantly to prevent burning. A teaspoon of the syrup, dropped in a glass of cold water, should form a firm ball. Remove caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
• Working quickly, dip each apple into the hot caramel to completely coat the apple and about 1/2 inch of the wooden handle. Sprinkle apples with any desired toppings while still hot. Let caramel apples cool on the parchment paper. Use caution, caramel is very hot.

EASY CARAMEL APPLE TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray; unroll sheet onto cookie sheet. Press into 12x9-inch rectangle. If using crescent rolls, press seams together. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook butter, apples and sugar over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until apples are just tender.
• Spread 1/2 cup of the dulce de leche onto warm crescent crust, leaving 1/2-inch border; carefully arrange cooked apples in single layer over top. In small microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 1/4 cup dulce de leche uncovered on High 10 to 20 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Using fork, drizzle over apples. Serve warm.