Caramel Apples

Halloween and Caramel apples have traveled together through out the years. The fruit base helps even out the sweet sticky caramel offering a healthier treat of sorts. It is easy to make your own caramel apples at home. You will want to have a candy thermometer to make sure the sugar mix reaches the correct degree.

Vegetable oil cooking spray
6 small apples with stems removed
2 bags soft caramel candies (9.5 ounces each)
¼ cup pulp-free orange juice
1 bar 53 percent cocoa dark chocolate (4-ounces), chopped into ½-inch pieces
6 thick wooden sticks
Small candies, nuts and sprinkles of your choice

Directions:

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray the parchment lightly with vegetable oil cooking spray.

Place wooden sticks halfway into the apples, where the stems were removed.

In a medium saucepan, combine caramel candies and orange juice and warm over low heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until candies are completely melted, about 10 minutes. Let sit for 2 minutes.

Dip apples in caramel until thoroughly coated, and place on parchment paper until firm, about 2 hours.

Put chocolate in a medium bowl and set it over a pan of simmering water, or put in a double-boiler. Stir the chocolate until smooth. Use a fork to drizzle the chocolate over each caramel-covered apple. Place apples back on parchment paper for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle the apples with your chosen nuts and candies. Try playing with the design of your caramel apples, such as sprinkling nuts on the bottom half and colorful sprinkles or candies on the top half.

Let apples sit 3 to 4 hours for everything to harden completely.

Delight your guests with your creations!