White Chocolate Cinnamon Caramel Apples

I am not going to lie, this is my go-to for a couple occasions – end of the year teacher gift and Valentine’s Day.  I’ve tried lots of fancy caramel apples and this is by far, hands down, the best!  Take my word for it.  You can find them at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Disney World, Disneyland, etc.  I am too cheep to buy them there so I learned how to make them myself.  To make these you need a food thermometer.

I have an old candy thermometer that I use but I also have a meat thermometer that I use to double check the temp.  You want to to cook the caramel until it is between 236-248°F.  I lean toward the higher end of that range for a firmer caramel.  If you like it a little softer, use the 236°F. I can tell it is about done when it gets harder to stir and turns a darker color.

You also need Wilton Cookie Sticks, 6 inches.

If you are going to give them away, I like to put them in a large cupcake liners and then slide them in 4×9.5in clear treat bags.  I also recommend that you use a higher end chocolate brand for the white chocolate.  I like Ghirardelli white melting wafers.  They melt very smooth in the microwave.  You can get them on Amazon but I have also found them at Walmart for less. You really can’t go wrong.

An important part of this process is washing the apples.  You want to get as much of the wax off as possible.  This helps the caramel from slipping off.  You’ll fill a large pot with very hot water.  We have our water heater set high so our tap water gets to 140°F.  I find that this is a good temperature.  Set the apples in the water for 5-15 minutes and then let dry completely.

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White Chocolate Cinnamon Caramel Apples

Tart green apples covered in buttery caramel, dipped in white chocolate candy and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. 

Course Dessert

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups light brown sugar packed
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 8-10 Granny Smith apples
• 8-10 wooden sticks
• 2 packages white chocolate candy melts or chips
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Place apples in a pot of very hot water. Let sit for 5-15 minutes. Let apples dry completely. Alternatively, wash with warm soapy water and let dry completely. Remove the stems.

2. Insert one stick into the center of each apple.

3. Spray a piece of parchment paper or wax paper with non-stick cooking spray to place apples on after you have dipped them.

4. Combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and milk in a heavy saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce to medium heat.

5. Stirring constantly (this is important, you do not want to let it burn or stick to the bottom of the pan) cook until it is 236-248° degrees Fahrenheit.  It should be getting harder to stir and turn a darker color.

6. Remove from heat and add the vanilla.  

7. Dip each apple into the hot caramel, turning to coat.  Place on the prepared paper and let cool completely. I leave them overnight.

8. Once cooled. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a wide shallow bowl.  Melt white chocolate according to package directions.

9. Dip each apple into the white chocolate, turning to coat.  Shake a bit until it no longer drips and scrape off the bottom of the apple.  Hold over the cinnamon and sugar bowl.  With your hands or a spoon, sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over the white chocolate, turning until it is completely covered.  

10. Place back on the paper and let cool and harden.