Decorated caramel apples ()
Giving an apple to a teacher is well known to students. With this craft from our “Dandelions” magazine, you get to keep the apple AND eat a yummy treat. This apple craft is all about what YOU want. Younger kids will need an adult to help them.
What you need:
· One apple per person
· Melting caramels, semi-sweet chocolate and/or corn syrup and sugar (for candy apples)
· Red food dye (optional)
· Heavy cream (for caramel)
· Candy thermometer (for candy)
· Toppings (Ideas below)
· Syrups and/or melted peanut butter
· Wooden skewers or popsicle sticks
· Parchment paper or cupcake wrappers (for apples to rest on)
· Bowls for toppings
Step One: Choose Your Apple
Choose from the tart Granny Smith (my pick), or the tangy McIntosh, the sweet Red Delicious or the crisp Gala. Get your adult and have them help you put your skewer into your apple.
Step Two: Choose and Melt Your Dip
Choose to have a caramel, chocolate or candy apple. Then, bring in an adult to help you melt your dip.
· For candy apples, boil sugar, water, corn syrup and red food dye up to 300-310 degrees Fahrenheit. (Delish.com can help you with exact measurements).
· For caramel apples, put caramel candies and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave the mix for a few minutes, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds. (Natasha’s Kitchen can help you with mixing tips).
· For chocolate apples, place semisweet chocolate into a metal or glass pan/bowl and place that over in simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted. (All Recipes can help you melt your chocolate).
Step Three: Dip and Roll
Choose your topping. Next, dunk your apple into your dip and then roll your apple into your topping.
*Topping Ideas: Crushed nuts, candies, cookies, breakfast cereal, graham crackers, Pop-Tarts or pretzels. Or try sprinkles, marshmallows, heath bits, granola, coconut flakes, toffee pieces, popcorn, gummy bears, cinnamon, pumpkin spice and whatever else you can think of.
Step Four: Drizzle with your favorite syrup (Optional)
Drizzle your apple with melted chocolate, caramel, white chocolate, Nutella or peanut butter.
Step Five: Put your apple on a cupcake wrapper or parchment paper, set it in the fridge and let it cool for fifteen minutes.
Finally, ENJOY YOUR APPLE.
