Is the title confusing for you? Then it probably means that you’ve been misguided about the differences between caramel apples and candy apples. We have combined both recipes for you so you can simply learn what you want to know right here and don’t have to search for ‘How to Make Gourmet Caramel Apples’ or ‘How to Make Gourmet Candy Apples.’ You can find a recipe here for both.
Before we move on to the recipe, let’s take a look at the difference so that you can jump to the recipe you are looking for.
What Are Gourmet Caramel Apples?
Caramel apples and candy apples are common in fairs and summer or autumn festivals. Caramel apples are just a little more common. These are coated in a semi-soft caramel coating. It is also made of whole apples and is a delicious feast. You can find many varieties of caramel apples, such as:
- Caramel Apples with peanuts
- Caramel Apples With sprinkles
- Salted Caramel Apples
- Chocolate Caramel Apples/white chocolate caramel apples
- Chocolate caramel apples with peanuts
- Caramel apple toasties with marshmallows
- Coconut surprise caramel apples
This is the tip of the iceberg. Once you learn How to Make Gourmet Candy Apples, you’ll be able to come up with any variations you like. The options are endless, and you can match them with anything you prefer.
What Are Gourmet Candy Apples?
Candy apple, on the other hand, is much different from caramel apples. For starters, it has none of the softy caramel toppings. Secondly, it is a hard sugar candy coating that gives it the name candy apple and is highly popular, made with all sorts of fruits today. You can add as many toppings as you like. Here are a few varieties to try:
- Candy apples of different colors
- Multi-colored candy apples
- Marshmallow swirl candy apples
- Glitter candy apples
- Coconut candy apples
Other than these, you can also make them with the same variations as caramel apples. At the end of the day, it depends on what one likes and personal preferences of How To Make Gourmet Candy Apples.
Choosing The Right Apples
Choosing the right apple has a huge effect on how the end product is going to turn out. The key to learning How To Make Gourmet Candy Apples is to find the crispest and not-so-sweet apples. Fuji apples or Granny Smith Apples are the most preferred versions of candy apples. The same applies to caramel apples too. This is because the apples are nice and tarty, which goes perfectly well with the sugary topping that we’re going to be adding.
Pick small to medium-sized apples, and make sure to pick the ones that are the roundest. They don’t have to be the freshest apples in the bunch, but they should not have any soft spots in them.
How To Make Gourmet Candy Apples
Making candy apples is easy; you need only the following ingredients:
- Cooking Spray
- Sugar – two Cups
- Light Corn Syrup – 1 Cup
- Candy
- Red food Color (liquid) – a few drops
- Granny Smith Apples
- Popsicle Sticks
Ingredients
- Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Once they’re completely dry, remove the stem and poke the popsicle stick through.
Spray cooking spray on a cookie tray lined with a cookie sheet and set it aside. - Boil ½ cup of water to boil and add corn syrup to it. Let it come to 250 degrees F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check if the syrup forms a thread when you pour it from the edge of the spoon.
- To this, add the candy and cook until it comes to 280 degrees F; then, remove from heat and quickly add the food colour.
- It is now time to act quickly. Take the apples and dip them in the saucepan, making sure to rotate the apple on the stick until it is thoroughly coated.
Coat with any other topping after this if preferred. That’s how easy it is – ready in no time at all!
How To Make Gourmet Caramel Apples
- Apples – 8-9 (cold)
- Heavy Cream – 1 & ¾ Cup
- Light Corn Syrup – 1 Cup
- Dark Brown Sugar – 2 Cups
- Unsalted Butter – ¼ Cup (Room temperature)
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Popsicle stick
- Vanilla Extract – ½ Teaspoon
- thermometer
Ingredients
- Wash the apples and dry them thoroughly. Remove the wax coating to achieve a better caramel coating. Once dry, remove the stem and poke through with the popsicle stick.
- In a baking tray, place a silicone baking mat or baking sheet or grease it with butter and set it aside.
- The Caramel – Add heavy cream, corn syrup, sugar, butter, and salt in a heavy-duty saucepan and place it on medium heat. The heat should be medium throughout the process. After the butter has melted, use a wooden spoon to keep stirring. Add the thermometer and make sure it is not touching the bottom, as it will display a hotter temperature. Stop stirring now; allow it to bubble.
- Once it reaches a temperature of 235 degrees F to 240 degrees F. This will take you anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes. At this point, remove it from the heat and add the vanilla. Don’t stir it too much as you don’t want to let it air bubbles.
Once it has cooled for 10 to 15 minutes, you can coat the apples in it. Dip the apple in and turn it around until it is completely coated. Place it on the pan to cool or dip in the toppings and then place it on the pan.
Conclusion
As you can see, making candy apples or caramel apples is no big deal. With a little practice and the right tips, you’ll be ready for fall or Halloween in no time at all. For a video tutorial on how to make it, go to Girls Nite Live and buy the video for only $9.99! You can enjoy gourmet caramel apples, Choco marshmallows, and all about the toppings!
