Frans Caramel Apples 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 APPLES

Steps:

• Insert a wooden stick into the stem end of each apple. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Make the caramel: Melt the sugar and corn syrup in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until combined. Don't stress if it starts to clump: It will eventually even out. Cook, swirling the pan but not stirring, until dark amber in color and a candy thermometer registers 245 degrees F, 8 to 12 minutes.
• Add the butter all at once, stirring until incorporated. Turn down the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream (the mixture will foam up); whisk until smooth.
• Increase the heat to medium high and bring the caramel up to 250 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Dip the apples in the caramel and roll in crushed cookies; place on the baking sheet to set, 5 to 10 minutes.

CARAMEL-BAKED APPLES

Steps:

• For the apples: Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Put the apples in a 9-by-13-inch ovenproof dish.
• Combine the cider, caramels, cinnamon, salt and ginger in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, stirring often, until the caramels are melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the mixture over the apples and bake on the bottom oven rack, basting every 20 minutes, until the apples are very tender and glossy, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Transfer the apples to a platter; transfer the cider mixture to a medium saucepan.
• For the streusel: Combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Using your fingers or a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form. Spread on the prepared baking sheet and bake on the top oven rack, stirring halfway through, until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then break into bite-size pieces.
• Bring the cider mixture to a boil over high heat and cook, whisking frequently, until thickened and reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream. Transfer to a bowl set in a large bowl of ice water. Once cold, stir in the buttermilk.
• Pour the cider cream onto a large rimmed platter and place the apples on top. Sprinkle with the streusel and dust with confectioners' sugar.

FRAN'S APPLE CAKE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs one at a time.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Add to butter mixture.
• Stir in apples and nuts, if desired.
• Bake in greased bundt pan for 65-70 minutes at 325°.
• For sauce, heat sugar, butter and evaporated milk over medium heat.
• Add extract.
• Chill.
• Pass sauce with cake.

CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• In a heavy 3-qt. saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and milk; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 248° (firm-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Insert wooden sticks into apples. Dip each apple into hot caramel mixture; turn to coat. Set on waxed paper to cool. If desired, roll the bottom of the dipped apples into chopped peanuts.