"Apple Pie" caramel apple *tutorial*

Our favorite treat at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is the "Apple Pie" caramel apple. I decided to try and re-create that apple here at home. A very messy procedure, but happy to report it tasted EXACTLY like the ones we get from the candy store!

I bought Braeburn and Jonagold apples. I found the Braeburn apple (the smaller one) taste a bit better because the apple itself is crispier and a bit more tart. The Jonagold (the larger one) makes for a prettier apple (lol) but the apple is softer and sweeter.

I bought "sucker sticks" at Party City for less than $3 for a bag of 20. Remove the stems from the apples and insert the sticks all the way through.

In a microwave safe bowl place 40 unwrapped caramels. In another bowl empty 3/4ths of a bag white chocolate chips (you can also use white "candy melts"). In another (shallow) bowl mix together 4 1/2 tablespoons of light brown sugar and about 4-5 dashes of ground cinnamon. (don't mind the Sea Salt, I made a couple Salted Caramel apples as well.)

On 50% heat, place the bowl of caramels with 4 teaspoons of water, in the microwave for 1 1/2mins. Stir caramel to allow it to thicken a bit. Dip apple and set apple off to the side on a BUTTER GREASED sheet of wax paper (I placed the greased wax paper on a cookie sheet to allow for easy transfer to the fridge.)

Place caramel covered apples in the fridge for 15-20 mins. After taking apples out of the fridge, pull apple off wax paper and smooth excess caramel (on the bottom) up the sides of the apples.

In another microwave safe bowl, heat the white chocolate chips in the microwave (also on 50% heat) for 1 1/2 mins. While mixing the melted chips, add 1 tablespoon of shortening to the mixture to allow for a smooth texture.

Dip apple in the while chocolate until it covers almost all of the caramel. Immediately after you take the apple out of the white chocolate, roll apple in the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture. Set on a plate, cookie sheet, or another piece of wax paper and place in the fridge.

Take the cooled, hardened apple out of the fridge, cut and enjoy!

XOXO,
-ME