Buttercream Bakers: Caramel Chocolate Candy Covered Apples

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Caramel Chocolate Candy Covered Apples

By Sarah

A few years ago, way before kids, my husband and I went to the St. James Court Art Show in Louisville. I don't get to go every year and I was disappointed that I didn't get to go a few weeks ago. This festival is amazing and if you are ever in the Louisville area when it's going on, you have to go! This art show was first started in 1957 to help raise money for the Saint James Court Association as well to bring local artists and residents together. In 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, & 2011 the St. James Court Art Show was voted best art show in the nation. According to their site, they now have nearly 750 exhibitors and more than 300,000 attendees!

Anyway, Nick and I found ourselves walking the streets of artists and vendors amazed at all of the talent that surrounded us. I looked through hundreds of paintings, browsed handfuls of homemade necklaces and earrings, yet I didn't fall in love with anything. Finally, we turned the corner and I saw it! I had to have it! It was perfect for me! What was it, you say? A caramel, chocolate, & candy covered apple of course!!! Yes, out of the entire art fair, the only thing Nick and I bought was a dessert! It looked so delicious with all the yummy goodness drizzled all over it and it tasted event better than it looked.

Since that day I have always thought about recreating my souvenir, so what better time than apple week at BCB! I have to admit, this dessert was a little more work than I expected. I decided to take a short cut and not make homemade caramel, so I melted caramel candies instead. That process took longer than I expected because it is so easy to let it get too hot and burn. Another surprise was that the entire 11 oz bag of caramels only covered 4 large granny smith apples. Making this dessert is also somewhat messy. However, I was impressed with the way the apples looked when they were done and I think they would make excellent gifts dressed up in a little bag! Also, they tasted even better than I remember!

Ingredients:

11 oz bag of caramels
16 oz of vanilla melting chocolate
candy of your choice (heath bar crumbs, candy corn, nuts, m&m's, etc.)
kabob skewers (trimmed to the length of your preference)
4 large granny smith apples
parchment paper

1. Clean apples and trim stems off. Stick skewers through the top and push half way into the apple. Chill apples in refrigerator while melting the caramel.

2. Unwrap all of the caramels and put in sauce pan. Put over light - medium heat and stir frequently. Be careful not to let it get too hot because caramel will burn easily. Once it is melted you are ready to cover your apples.

3. One at a time, roll the apples in the hot caramel sauce. Once it is completely covered, place on parchment paper. The caramel will not take long to set.
4. Once you have covered all of your apples with caramel it is time to melt the chocolate. Temper the chocolate in a saucepan sitting in simmering water. This will keep the chocolate from getting too hot and boiling. Stir frequently until the chocolate has melted entirely.
5. Once it is melted, remove from heat and let sit for 10-12 minutes. Then dip apples into the chocolate covering it entirely. After the apples are covered in chocolate, let them sit for a couple of minutes and next roll in candy to cover. Once all apples are covered in chocolate and candy, place them back in the refrigerator to let the chocolate harden up.

6. Pour the remaining melted chocolate in a Wilton disposable icing bag. After a few minutes, take the apples out of the refrigerator and drizzle the melted chocolate all over the apples and decorate as desired. Finally, place them back into the refrigerator to let the drizzles harden up. In about 10 minutes the apples are all done and ready to devour!! Enjoy!