Gourmet Caramel Apples

We had a pumpkin carving party yesterday and since we had so many apples on hand I whipped up some homemade caramel apples.

The kids LOVED them.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 10 to 12 Popsicle sticks
• 10 to 12 medium tart apples, washed and dried

Directions

1. In a large heavy saucepan, melt butter; add the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, about 10-12 minutes. Stir in milk. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 248° (firm-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.
2. Insert Popsicle sticks into apples. Dip each apple into hot caramel mixture; turn to coat. I set them on a silpat sheet but you could use parchment paper as well.  I let the apples cool.
3. Then I used chocolate wafers and melted them in the microwave or on the stove, whichever you prefer.  I put the melted chocolate in a zip lock baggie, snip the end and drizzle over the apple.  I added Reese Pieces because my husband loves them, but feel free to add any toppings!
4. Eat them all!