The caramel apple is one of the most iconic Fall flavors, but it’s usually hard to enjoy an entire caramel or candy apple in one sitting. What if we told you there was an easy way to get in on the flavor without all the work? Enter mini caramel apple pops! You can make these little guys with or without sticks and they’re perfect for kids, parties, or even just snacking around your house.
It’s that time of year again, where you start to crave apple everything. But what if your favorite snack is apples and caramel? These mini caramel apple pops are the perfect solution! They’re so simple to make and they’ll satisfy your sweet tooth all fall long. Plus, they look adorable and are extremely kid-friendly! Let’s explore everything you’ll need to know to make these below!
Best Apples for Caramel Apple Pops
These are the most commonly found and used types of apple that make great tasting and looking candy apples!
- Granny Smith: The flavor is bold and tart, but it also has a slight sweetness to it that complements other flavors well. These tart green apples will give your pies and candy apples an extra zing without adding too much sweetness.
- Golden Delicious: Has a sweet/tart taste which makes these ideal for use in candy apples since they won’t require as much sugar as other varieties such as Honeycrisp or Braeburn (which can be quite sour).
- Honeycrisp: It has a crispy texture and juicy flesh with an intensely tangy flavor. For those who really love sweets, I recommend using honeycrisps because they have the highest sugar content among the three. In addition to being sweet and crisp, they also have a fantastic flavor profile–they’re tangy but not too tart with hints of floral flavors like orange blossom mixed in as well as notes of honey and apricot jam.
Why is my caramel not sticking to my apple?
There is nothing worse than getting all your supplies ready for your caramel to just slide off your apple slices when dipping. That’s because there are a few things that need to be taken into account in order for your caramel apple creation to be successful.
- Remove all wax from your apples by running them under warm water and scrubbing them.
- Dry them with a towel to remove most of the wax used to preserve them.
- Then, cool your apples first with ice water, then dry them off with paper towels, this helps keep the caramel from melting when applied.
- You’ll also need high-quality caramels. We love the Kraft Caramel squares you can find in the baking aisle this time of year.
- Make sure they are heated up just enough so that the caramels melt, and becomes soft and pliable before dipping the fruit (or other food) into them. Do not over cook or under cook the caramel.
How to Chocolate Dip Caramel Apple Slices
After dipping the apple slices in caramel, place them on a wax or parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place the slices in the refrigerator to firm the caramel up. Once the caramel has hardened, prepare the chocolate for melting, melt until creamy, and then dip the slices in chocolate either halfway or all the way for an extra layer of goodness. Sprinkle the desired toppings on the apples, and then put the pops back on the baking sheet and chill until firm.
How Long Will Sliced Caramel Apples Last?
Caramel Apples as a whole last much longer than caramel apple slices which will turn brown rather quickly. Ours lasted 24 hours in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container, but did have a slight coloring change to any area that was not dipped.
Fall Apple Recipes to Try Today
Fall is the perfect time to go apple picking and start cooking up some delicious fall recipes. Here are a few of our other favorite apple recipes for this season:
Caramel Apple Wedges
Equipment
- Stovetop
- Stockpot
- microwave-safe dish
- Fork & spoon
- Apple slicer
- cutting board & knife
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 3 Granny Smith Apples remove wax, chill, dry, slice/core.
- 11 ounces Kraft Caramels
- 4 ounces White Baker's Chocolate whole bar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons Halloween Sprinkles Can use nuts, or any candy you chose
Instructions
- Remove all wax from your apples by running them under warm water and scrubbing them. Dry them with a towel to remove most of the wax used to preserve them. Then, cool your apples first with ice water, then dry them off with paper towels, this helps keep the caramel from melting when applied. Slice apples with an apple slicer into 1/2" thick wedges; pat dry to remove any excess moisture.
- Carefully insert a stick into each wedge.
- Place Kraft Caramels into a small stockpot and heat with the water until smooth and creamy stirring constantly over medium heat.
- Dip each apple slice into the caramel and place on a wax/ parchment paper-lined baking tray. Chill slices in the refrigerator until caramel is set.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the white BAKER's Chocolate for 30 seconds and then 10 second intervals until smooth and creamy.
- Dip apple wedges half way into chocolate and then coat them with Halloween sprinkles, or nuts.
- Add slices to the prior lined baking sheet and chill until firm. Bag up the apples or store them in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Enjoy!
They should be eaten right away. The apple turns color and leaks the juices. I say, 24 hours for best taste. Thank you, for stopping by!
If refrigerated after made, will these last 5-7 days, or do they need to be eaten within one day?
Now if you ask me, these BITES are better by far than a whole caramel apple. Reg. caramel apples are tremendously messy and often just too much of a good thing. These little bites would be “Just right”.
i never saw caramel apples made like this. they totally look yummy
This looks really good! I would love to make these for our upcoming Halloween party.
What a cute idea. I’ll be sure to include this in my Halloween party menu.
My kids love caramel apples! It’s their favorite fall treat!
I was actually thinking about making something like this, then your post popped up! This looks so good, can’t wait to try it.
What a delicious way to use Kraft caramels. Your apples look ready for Halloween.
I love these! I will have to make them ASAP!
Those apple pops look so good. I love apples with caramel.
These look so cute and HEALTHY too! I love these!
Oh yum, those apples look delish! I’m going to have to look through that guide for more!
This is a fantastic way to enjoy caramel apples without the mess. I will have to share this recipe with my friends .
My kids are going to love these. I will have to pick up the supplies i need tomorrow so we can make them for dessert.
These look so delicious and easy to make. It would be so much easier to eat these then a caramel apple. I am going to try this with the kids.
Yum! I love this! I am definitely making some of these Mini Caramel Apple pops! They look delicious!
Oh my goodness, these are awesome. My kids make a huge mess when eating a big apple, these make it much easier and cleaner. HA! Thanks for the idea.
Oh I love this idea! My toddler twins love apples but would make a huge mess and waste a whole caramel apple so these are the perfect size for them!
I have some Kraft caramels in the pantry right now. I am going to make these this weekend.
I have some Kraft caramels in the pantry rigth now. I am going to make these this weekend.
Ah those apple pops look so good, and are so cute! My kids would love those no doubt about it.
I have a feeling if I made these, I would totally eat the entire thing! Love the idea of dipping individual slices!
Oh my gosh that would be PERFECT for my little man. He does not like to get sticky so he won’t eat caramel apples. I never thought about doing it this way! I am SO doing this!
Those are so great! I love caramel app[es, but they’re so hard to eat. This is genius.
What an awesome way to use up all those apples we have left over from when we went picking. Those look so yum.