Ingredients:
- 8 large tart apples
- 8 wooden chopsticks for handles
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup butter
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
- Gather all ingredients.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Dip apples in boiling water for a few seconds, using a slotted spoon, then dry with paper towels to remove any wax from the peels. Set apples aside to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- Insert sticks into the bottom of each cooled apple through the core for a handle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and butter together in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and then reduce heat to medium. Cook until a candy thermometer reads 248 F, stirring constantly, to prevent burning, about 25 to 30 minutes. A teaspoon of caramel dropped in a glass of cold water should form a firm ball. Remove caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Working quickly, dip each apple into the hot caramel to completely coat the apple and about 1/2 inch of the wooden handle. Sprinkle on desired toppings or nuts.
- Let caramel apples cool on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 hour. Use caution; caramel is very hot.
