Snowman Christmas Caramel Apples

5 from 2 votes

These Christmas Candy Apples are delicious, adorable and certain to be the topic of conversation at your next holiday party. This recipe will teach you how to make, dip, and decorate the perfect homemade caramel apple complete with a chocolate top hat and smile.

Prep Time40

Cook Time30

Total Time1 10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: caramel apples

Calories: 685kcal

Author: The Carefree Kitchen

Ingredients

Homemade Caramel For Caramel Apples

1 cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Karo Syrup
1 cup Brown Sugar light or dark
¼ teaspoon Salt
1 14-oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

To Decorate Snowman Caramel Apples

8 Granny Smith Apples
8 Sticks popsicle, lollipop or similar
3 cups White Chocolate Wafers
2 cups Dark Chocolate Wafers
8 large Marshmallows
8 Oreo Cookies separated with frosting removed
2 cups Brown M&Ms

Instructions

Prepping the Apples

Wash apples to remove any wax by soaking in a half gallon of water with 1 cup of white vinegar for about 10 minutes. Use your hands to gently rub off any wax residue. Rinse the apples in cold water, then dry completely with a dish towel or paper towel.
Remove the stem of each apple and insert a wooden dowel or stick into the top, about ¾ of the way through.
Prepare a baking sheet by either spraying with non-stick cooking spray or using a Silpat.

Making the Easy Caramel Recipe

In a large non-stick Dutch oven pot over medium heat/med low heat, add the butter and melt. Add sugar, brown sugar, Karo syrup, salt and sweetened condensed milk . Bring to a boil while stirring constantly. (Hint: it helps to use a square wooden spoon so you can scrape the bottom of the pan while stirring, making sure it doesn't burn)
Stir constantly while cooking at a rapid boil. Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature and cook until it reaches 240 degrees F. Watch closely and do not cook higher than 240 degrees F or the caramel will be too thick for the caramel apples.
Take the caramel off the heat and stir in the salt and the vanilla, then let the caramel cool for about 5 minutes.

Dipping the Apples in Caramel

Carefully take each apple by the stick and dip into the hot caramel all the way up to the stick, then lift it out of the caramel and swirl gently to let the excess caramel drip back into the pot.
Once dipped, set each caramel dipped apple onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining apples, letting the caramel cool to room temperature.

Dipping the Apples in White Chocolate

Place the white chocolate wafers in a microwave safe bowl and warm for about 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until completely melted but not too hot. White chocolate burns easily so make sure you are only warming as much as needed to melt the chocolate.
Take a completely set caramel apple, hold it by the stick and dip into the white chocolate, tilting the bowl if necessary to submerge the entire apple.
Once coated, remove from the chocolate, give a couple of gentle shakes to remove excess and place back down on your Silpat lined sheet tray. Repeat with the rest of the apples, then allow to set completely at room temperature.

Adding Snowman Decorations

Place the dark or milk chocolate wafers in a microwave safe bowl and warm for about 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until completely melted but not too hot. Set aside.
To make the Snowman hats: Twist apart Oreos, scrape off the frosting and dip each half in the melted dark or milk chocolate. Set on a parchment paper lined sheet tray to cool. Next, stick a toothpick into the top of a large marshmallow, dip completely into the same melted chocolate, and place onto the center of a chocolate-dipped Oreo half. Repeat until all chocolate "hats" are dipped.
To make the Snowman face: Use brown M&Ms to make the Snowman's eyes and smile. Using your fingers, dip one (logo side) into chocolate just enough to get it to hold it like glue. Position as desired and hold for a bit until set. Continue until all Snowman Caramel Apples are decorated.
Allow to set completely, then store in the fridge (loosely covered) for up to 3 days, or enjoy immediately!

Nutrition