Description
These Vegan Caramel Apples are the ultimate fall dessert to enjoy with friends and family. They’re dipped in our sweet, buttery vegan caramel and then rolled in crushed peanuts for the perfect finishing touch. All you need is 6 simple ingredients!
Ingredients
- 8 granny smith apples
- 2 cups (420 g) brown sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup (½ stick) vegan butter
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1½ cups of chopped peanuts or topping of your choice
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Popsicle sticks or Cake pop sticks
- Small saucepan
- Silicone spatula
- Candy thermometer
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash your apples thoroughly in hot water and wipe them dry with a clean towel.
- Place the washed apples on the baking sheet and stick a popsicle stick or cake pop stick into the core of each apple.
- Put the baking sheet and apples in the fridge while you make the caramel.
- Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, vegan butter, and coconut milk to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir with a silicon or wooden spatula until the vegan butter is melted and the mixture is homogeneous. At this point, stop stirring. The mixture should begin bubbling.
- Attach a candy thermometer to your pot. Allow the caramel to cook until it reaches 240 F, about 15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Allow the caramel to cool for about 8-15 minutes or until it is thick enough to coat the apples.
- Once the caramel is thick enough, remove the apples from the fridge and dip the apples one by one into the caramel.
A. If not using toppings, allow excess caramel to drip off the apple, then place it on the parchment paper.
B. If using toppings, allow any excess caramel to drip off the apple and then roll it in the topping(s) of your choice. Then, place it on parchment paper. - Repeat for all your apples.
- Allow the caramel apples to cool at room temperature until the caramel is completely set, about 30 minutes. If not enjoying immediately, store the apples in the fridge.
- Even when set, the caramel might stick to surfaces, so wrap them in parchment paper or place them in a Tupperware lined with parchment paper.
Notes
- If you have extra caramel, making caramel candies is easy and requires no extra cooking. Learn how here.
- The tartness of granny smith apples works well with the caramel, but you can use any apples!
- Many store-bought apples have a thin layer of wax on the outside. This will inhibit the caramel from sticking to the apples, so it is important to wash them thoroughly. Note that washing for too long in hot water may discolor the apples but will not affect the taste. If you want to hide any discoloration, you can cover the entire apple in caramel.
- The caramel will take roughly 15 minutes to reach 240 F, but every stove differs. Making this recipe without a candy thermometer is not recommended, but if you’d like to check when your caramel is ready, you can use the ice water test. Place a bowl or glass of ice water next to the stove. Drop some caramel into the ice water and let it sit for a few seconds. Form the caramel into a ball with your fingertips. If it forms a soft and flexible ball, your caramel is ready. If it is still liquid, cook further and test again in a minute. You’ve cooked it for too long if it forms a hard ball. This method is not exact, so it is best to use a thermometer!
- Use a candy thermometer. Without one, it is difficult to tell if the caramel has reached the correct temperature. If the caramel is not hot enough, it will not thicken up and won’t stick to the apples. If the caramel is too hot, it will become too thick and hard, making it difficult to dip the apples into.
- Enjoy vegan caramel apples immediately, or store the apples in the fridge for up to 1 week. To prevent sticking, place them in a Tupperware lined with parchment paper.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert