Homemade, Healthy Caramel Apples
Whoever came up with the idea that warm, sticky caramel paired oh so deliciously with sweet apples is a genius! These can easily be rolled into any toppings your taste buds crave, from crunchy nuts all the way to dusty, bittersweet cacao powder. Each bite has a smooth, comforting coating and a crisp, tart taste underneath. Family and friends would have so much fun making this fall treat any time of the year, with a miscellaneous topping bar. Although, merely making this to eat the 4-5 ingredient caramel by the spoonful is warmly welcomed here, and that is up next on my list!
Ingredients:
10 small-medium apples, green or red (I used honey crisp + gala)
1 cup nut/seed butter of choice (make your own here!- I used 3/4 cup almond butter and 1/4 cup tahini)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Topping Ideas (2-2.5 cups total):
cacao + coconut: 2 tbsp cacao powder + 3/8 cup unsweetened, desiccated coconut
classic: 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips + sprinkles of flakey sea salt
drizzles: 1/4 cup chocolate + 1 tsp coconut oil, melted in 30-second increments, until smooth
fiber-fueled: 1/4 cup cacao nibs + 1/4 cup flax seeds
nutty: 1/4 cup pecans + 1/4 cup walnuts
Directions:
After choosing your desired toppings to coat the apples, grab a food processor or blender.
Lightly chop each group of toppings, then transfer to ramekins or other small dishes. Set them aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the nut/seed butter(s) and maple syrup, over low heat.
Stir often until smooth then remove from heat and stir the vanilla and cinnamon into the mixture.
Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, while making sure each apple is dry, so the caramel will stick much better. Next, insert long, wooden skewers in from the tops of the apple’s cores.
While holding onto the skewer of any apple, stir it’s base and bottom half, at bare minimum, into the caramel mixture. Alternatively, you are welcome to use a spatula to spread the caramel on each apple.
Once coated well, repeat the same technique with the prepared toppings and be sure to apply some pressure here.
Transfer to a freezer-safe tray or dish, lined with parchment paper, then repeat steps six and seven until all the apples have plenty of caramel + add-ons.
Use a spatula to press any remaining toppings or caramel onto the apples, if need be.
Transfer to the fridge for 15-20 minutes or freezer for 5-10, to harden.
Enjoy right away!
