Holiday Chocolate Caramel Appples Food

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Insert a 5-inch-long nontoxic twig or wooden dowel into the top of each apple. Prepare an ice-water bath. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine sugar and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until dark golden (about 12 minutes after mixture comes to a boil). Slowly pour in heavy cream in a steady stream, stirring vigorously to combine. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until completely melted.
• Briefly plunge saucepan into the ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Dip one apple at a time into the caramel, and use a spoon to coat the top and sides. Transfer to prepared baking sheet until set.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Spray a baking sheet with vegetable spray. Dry the apples well and insert a lollipop stick into the stem end of each apple.
• Combine the caramels and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the caramel is melted and smooth. Holding them by the lollipop sticks, dip the apples in the caramel and roll them around to coat evenly. Lightly shake off excess caramel and set the apples stick-end up on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until the caramel is set, about 15 minutes.
• Place the white chocolate chips in a metal or glass bowl set over a double boiler and heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Dip each caramel apple in the white chocolate, rolling it around to coat the caramel with the white chocolate. Lightly shake off excess and set the apple stick-end up on the wax paper. Refrigerate for another 30 minutes to set the white chocolate.
• Melt the semisweet chocolate chips in second bowl set over a double boiler. Spoon the melted chocolate into a piping or plastic bag fitted with a small round tip. Remove the apples from the refrigerator and pipe ghost or skeleton faces onto the apples. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, or until set. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels and water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 45 seconds; stir. Microwave 20-40 seconds longer or until the caramels are melted; stir until smooth. , Insert wooden sticks into apples; dip apples into the caramel mixture, turning to coat. Coat with nuts; set on waxed paper to cool. , Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over apples. Sprinkle with toffee bits. Place on waxed paper to cool. Cut into wedges to serve.

HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE CARAMEL APPPLES

Steps:

• 1. In a large double boiler melt caramel over medium heat. This will take about 45 minutes when using block caramel.
• 2. While caramel is melting, wash apples and remove labels and stem. Dry well. Place sticks into top of apple. Push down firmly but do not go through bottom of apple. Set aside. Prepare Candi-Quik by breaking into smaller pieces.
• 3. Place parchment paper on counter top, table or tray. When caramel is melted dip each apple up to stem area. Twirl to remove excess caramel. Transfer to parchment paper. Let set so caramel can harden about 30-45 minutes. While caramel is setting up, melt chocolate Candi-Quik in double boiler over medium-low heat. Be careful not to overheat or you will end up with "dull" chocolate.
• 4. Pick apples up and trim excess caramel off the bottom where it has pooled. Kitchen shears work very well for this task. Place excess caramel back into double boiler for later use. Dip each apple into chocolate, twirl to remove excess chocolate. Set on clean sheets of parchment. While chocolate is setting up, melt white Candi-Quik in double boiler.
• 5. Drizzle white chocolate onto one apple at a time and working quickly, sprinkle liberally with toffee bits. Place M&M's on wet chocolate. Sprinkle with decorative sprinkles. Repeat until all apples are completed.
• 6. Place apple in a muffin top paper or pastry cups (found at Candy/Cake decor supply) Place apple into goody bag. Secure around stick with twisty tie, then tie with ribbon. Store in refrigerator for up to five days.
• 7. Remove from refrigerator and allow to warm up a bit at room temperature before cutting into wedges.

CARAMEL, CHOCOLATE AND CANDY APPLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with vegetable oil cooking spray. Insert the craft sticks halfway into the stem-ends of the apples.
• In a medium, heavy saucepan, over low heat, combine the caramel candies and orange juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the candies have melted and the mixture is smooth, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool for 2 minutes. Dip the apples in the caramel until coated and put them on the parchment paper until firm, about 2 hours.
• Put the chocolate in a medium bowl and set it over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Using a fork, drizzle the melted chocolate over the caramel. Put the apples back on the parchment paper for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with small candies, chopped nuts or sprinkles and allow the chocolate to harden, at room temperature, for about 3 to 4 hours.

GOURMET CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Dip apples into boiling water briefly, using a slotted spoon, to remove any wax that may be present. Wipe dry, and set aside to cool. Insert sticks into the apples through the cores.
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and coat with cooking spray. Place the unwrapped caramels into a microwave-safe medium bowl along with 2 tablespoons of water. Cook on high for 2 minutes, then stir and continue cooking and stirring at 1 minute intervals until caramel is melted and smooth.
• Hold apples by the stick, and dip into the caramel to coat. Set on waxed paper; refrigerate for about 15 minutes to set.
• Heat the chocolate with 1 tablespoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl until melted and smooth. Dip apples into the chocolate to cover the layer of caramel. Return to the waxed paper to set.
• Melt the candy melts in the microwave with the remaining shortening, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Use a fork or wooden stick to flick colored designs onto your apples for a finishing touch. Refrigerate until set, overnight is even better.