Take a bite out of fall!

There is something about a beautiful caramel apple that makes my heart skip a beat and tells my tastebuds that fall has arrived. I've been making caramel apples every fall for years and look forward to the day my entire kitchen is taken over by the process. 

We would like to share with you how to make these beauties. 
If that isn't enough, we've even included a 
free printable tag 
for you to print out and cut yourself to use for your apples. 

Just scroll down to the bottom for the free printable tag link.

I always initiate with this.

I know God loves me every time I sip a 

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

I live in Southern California so there aren't many indications 

around here that fall has begun. The moment I'm in my kitchen 

surrounded by fresh apples and I take my first sip, I can daydream 

that I've just picked these beautiful apples in an orchard, surrounded 

by beautiful fall foliage in my chunky brown sweater and boots. 

And then my air kicks on, because it's 80 degrees in my house. 

Back to reality.

Here is what you'll need:

Large Granny Smith Apples
Wooden Sticks
Caramel 
Candy Making Chocolate
Nuts 

I have to talk about this caramel, because it's the only one I will use.  Your local cake supply store should sell it, but I found an online source for you here. www.mycandycrafts.com

If you can't find it, you could use the individual wrapped caramels, which is really time consuming and doesn't taste as good. Each 5 lb block gives you enough caramel for 12-14 apples.

Find the largest granny smith apples you can. 

Wooden sticks are best. Anything else runs the

risk of coming out when you are dipping. 

Some of the sticks will end up tilted. It's ok. Its more important that the apple lays flat and upright. Just do the best you can.

The caramel will need to be melted down. I do this in the microwave. It's the easiest way. It will take a while to do this, so be patient. Take another sip of your Pumpkin Spice Latte. Microwave at full power every 30 seconds till you reach a stirring consistency. If you can't easily stir it, it's not ready. 

Now comes the fun part.

Find a large surface and lay down wax paper so you can set your dipped apples to harden. FIRST, spray the wax paper with cooking spray before you set your apples on it. They will come up perfectly if you do this. If not, the wax paper will stick to the caramel, and trust me, its a challenge to get it off.

Dip the apple in sideways and turn the stick until all sides are covered but allowing some of the green apple to show.

Then hang it over the bowl, allowing as much caramel as you can get to drip off.

I help the process along by scraping off the bottom with a spoon.

Seriously....aren't they beautiful, even just like that?

Some people may want to stop here. They like a caramel apple to be just that. A caramel apple. If that's you, congratulations, you're finished.

For the rest of you, let's take it to the next level.

Once you can pick up the apples off the wax paper, you are ready to go.

I've tried lots of different chocolate over the years. The winner hands down is Ghirardelli Candy Making Chocolate in the Double Chocolate flavor. My Sam's Club carries it in the 2.5 lb block this time every year. One block will cover 10-12 apples. Chocolate chips melt fine, but it doesn't come together for hours. I don't know about you, but I don't have time to wait with my crazy life.

 I need something that is going to harden quickly.

Microwave every thirty seconds and stir, until the chocolate is completely melted. 

Again, dip the apple on all the sides so that you are still having some of the caramel and green showing.

I always use chopped walnuts as my topping and get them chopped before I start. The look of this apple with the chopped walnuts is kind of my "signature thing". You can add any kind of topping you want. The possibilities are endless. Find your "signature thing".

Sprinkle the chopped nuts as you turn the apple till the entire apple is covered with nuts. You'll have to have some kind of dish under you for all the drippings.

Place the apple back on the wax paper and let the chocolate harden.

There you have it!  Gorgeous right?

Now what are you going to do with of these autumn beauties?

You are going to share the love!

The day I give out my apples I feel like Oprah. 

"You get an apple, you get an apple, you get an apple!" 

The look on their faces is priceless to me. And when something is wrapped with some pretty ribbon and a tag, pretty much anything could be in there and people get excited. But its one of THESE apples, so I become everyone's friend on apple giving day.

I use clear cellophane bags to wrap my apples. The dimensions I use are 5x3x11 and I always tie it with a pretty ribbon and a tag.

We are so excited about the launch of our blog, that we wanted to share a free printable tag with you. Just download it, print it, cut it out, and add it to your bag.

You're welcome! 

You can download it here.