gourmet caramel apples

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 5 large granny smith apples
• wooden craft sticks
• 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons water
• 7 ounces chocolate candy bar, broken into pieces
• 2 tablespoons shortening, divided
• 1 cup colored candy coating melts

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Ready Time: 50 mins


• 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 your apples for a finishing touch. refrigerate until set, overnight is even better.