Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Apple Pie Caramel Apples

Apple Pie? Caramel apple?  It’s the best of both worlds!  For me anyway. I get the apple pie taste but not the mushy fruit texture that all to often goes along with it plus  there’s homemade caramel.  See? Win-win! You with me?

apple-pie-caramel-apple1

I got the idea to turn my caramel apples into an apple pie version after visiting a local farmer’s market.  There was a vendor selling caramel apples and I got to sample her apple pie one.  It was really good and I was tempted to buy one but I knew I could make my own.  :)

I googled for a good caramel apple recipe but only found  adaptations of Kraft’s, which uses their caramel candies. Nope, ain’t happen.  It was those candies and jar caramel sauce that had me believing I didn’t like caramel and I wasn’t about to ruin perfectly good apples.  Eventually I found a few recipes but it wasn’t until I saw Jonna’s  caramel apple post that I made my decision.  I’m so glad I did.  It was very good and it makes plenty of caramel.

apple-pie-caramel-apples

For the caramel apple recipe you’ll need to click here (or use one you’re happy with) and visit Jonna.  If you wanna know how to make ‘em into apple pie caramel apples here’s how I did it.  This is more a method than a recipe.  After prepping my apples I crushed up a package of Maria cookies  (Thanks Eliana!) and added apple pie spice (add to taste) to the crushed up cookies.  I set it aside until I was ready to dip my apples. After dipping my apples into the caramel I popped them into the fridge for  about 5 minutes or so to get the caramel to firmed a bit.  Once the caramel firm up some but was still soft I rolled the apples into the crushed cookies.  I gently  pressed the cookies into the caramel and set aside on silpat lined pan to pop into the fridge. That’s it!     A couple of things I want to share.  My caramel didn’t really want to stick to the apples so I didn’t really get a nice thick layer of it on them.  I missed the part in the recipe that said to chill the apples while I made the caramel.  They were at room temp.  I don’t know if that was the sole reason the caramel didn’t stick so well but I wanted to make sure you knew.  The recipe makes a lot of caramel.  Also, I didn’t have apple pie spice and made my own. 

50 comments:

Abby said...

Love it, love it, love it. That little bow is too cute. I've been wanting to make them forever, but I want LITTLE apples and I can't find any small enough!

(Also, looking at cameras at Costco. Seems like the best deal for my situation right now. All I can find, though, are Canon Rebels and that's not what I want! The search continues.)

Lisa said...

What a beautiful looking caramel apple. This is truly a sweet idea.

Chelsea said...

Gorgeous! What an awesome variation on the regular caramel apple. Thanks for sharing!

Lucie said...

Maria cookies--I love them! I can only imagine how great these must taste.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

So pretty and delicious! Gorgeous.

Cheers,

Rosa

cocoa and coconut said...

I love that you've amalgamated both desserts into one delicious texture

Paris Pastry said...

So beautiful and yummy! Perfect for Halloween. I love that you put the apple in a cupcake liner: no mess and it looks great!

Donna-FFW said...

Absolutely fabulous idea.. I love it!! Best of both worlds, indeed!!!

Heather Baird said...

Yum! MY FAVORITE. I love caramel apples and with the added spiced flavor of apple pie, how in the world could anyone resist these?

Faith said...

I agree, this is the best of both worlds! I have yet to make my own caramel apples so I'm really dying to try this!

Jonna said...

Ingrid you are just the sweetest friend ever! Thanks for thinking of me. I have been wanting to make more caramel apples, and I'm going to try your Apple Pie apple as well. I'm not sure we have Maria cookies though....I've really never heard of them. I will be hunting the aisles of the grocery store soon.

Thanks again,
Jonna
Get Off Your Butt and BAKE!

Kristen said...

my one attempt at caramel apples was a complete disaster! *lol* my kids still liked it though. This looks fantastic

Pam said...

I haven't had a caramel apple since I was a kid. Yours look beautiful and so delicious!

naomi said...

This sounds yum. The photograph is stunning!

I'm not sure what maria cookies are but I'm going to check them out!

The Blonde Duck said...

My mom never let me eat caramel apples. I think it's time to rebel.

Unknown said...

These look awesome! I want one so bad!!!! I read earlier today that if the apple is waxy you should scrub it with baking soda and that also helps the caramel to stick to the apple. Man I really want one of these apples. Yummy!

Delicious Dishings said...

Hmm I wonder if having them at room temperature gives them a little condensation issue and keeps the caramel from sticking. They look so delicious, regardless!

Bunny said...

I've yet to make caramel apples Ingrid but boy do I want to now. They look so good!! And crushing up the cookies and rolling them in the caramel is a great idea!

Leslie said...

mmmmm...those look.."Pull out my fillings" good!!! lol

Diana's Cocina said...

My mouth is watering looking at this awesome treat! They look beautifully delicious! Well done,

Anonymous said...

Definitely definitely with you on these caramel apple pies! YUM!

Clare @ Mrs Multitasker said...

The prettiest caramel apples I've ever seen!

Val said...

You are amazing! I love the combo and your photo's are better and better with every post! I hope you have a fabulous Halloween with your family! HUGS.

Eliana said...

What a genius idea!!!! as I too don't care for the texture of baked fruit. And gotta love the Maria cookies. Delicious :)

Velva said...

I can't remember the last time I had a really good caramel apple. Gosh, I loved them as a kid. These look awesome.

Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer said...

I need a good caramel recipe, I will try hers for sure. Yumm...I love the Apple Pie SPice idea and outer cookie "crust". Very impressive and fancy :)

Deborah said...

These look gorgeous and sound super tasty!!

oneordinaryday said...

Oh, this looks awesome! You've become such a great food photographer, Ingrid. I'm proud of you! : )

I just watched Alton (you know - my boyfriend) and he says you have to pop those apples into boiling water for 15 seconds to get the wax off of them and then the candy coating will stick perfectly.

Julie said...

Oh my, I need to make these. You made them look so pretty :)

Monica H said...

Hello my pretty! Those are the cutest liners. Where ever did you get those? ha!

"It was those candies and jar caramel sauce that had me believing I didn’t like caramel" Uh, yes, EXACTLY!

kimberleyblue said...

Gorgeous photos!

Did you peel the apples first? I once tried making caramel apples, but all the caramel would keep sliding off.

I never attempted again, though your post definitely has me tempted. They sound amazing, and look super-amazing!

Mimi said...

Ingrid,
Those are the best looking caramel apples I've seen. I love the idea of the cookie crumb coating.
Mimi

Pam said...

My mouth is watering looking at the caramel apples. They look fantastic! Good job!!!

grace said...

delicious work, ingrid--this is my favorite thing about fall!

Lori said...

I think these are one of the great things about fall- I have never had the apple pie variety though- yum.

Kerstin said...

Gorgeous - I love the cookie crumbles on the outside!

Unknown said...

This is true genius!! I love apple pie :) I'm going to try this once my braces come off.. No caramel apples till then :(

Jaime said...

oh my very fav. caramel apple is the apple pie apple - from rocky mountain chocolate factory!! dipped in caramel, then white chocolate, then rolled in cinnamon & sugar and graham cracker crumbs!

Reeni said...

These are gorgeous Ingrid! I am loving your cookie coating - such a great idea!

Damaris @Kitchen Corners said...

these look amazing! I love apple pies and this is the perfect idea.

Robin said...

These are super cool. Jonna does have some great treats on her site too. Never tried those cookies and adding the spice is brilliant. Hope you had a great Halloween!

megan said...

beautiful pictures! These look incredible!

Quay Po Cooks said...

What an eye candy! love it!

cookies and cups said...

My husband has been craving a candy apple...but not wanting to spend like $8 on one I will have to make these!!

Lindsey Barbara said...

These look amazing and delicious!!!!! Very nice photos :)

Have a lovely day!
All Good Things Organic

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

What an awesome idea. Can anyone resist the winning combination of apples, caramel, and nuts? Not me!

Karen said...

This is such a great idea! Love your twist on a classic, both with the pie and the caramel apple. Yum!

Shelby said...

This photo is absolutely gorgeous!! I had intentions of making caramel apples but I only got as far as buying the apples!

Lisa said...

I have been dreaming of these ever since you mentioned making them on the phone. Now I get to see them and dream more, until I can set aside some time to make two, one for me and one for my nephew lol

Anna said...

Oooh, I like yours too! I too forgot to put the apples in the fridge and had some "runnoff", but all in all it came out okay. I like the idea of adding cookie crumbs. I might add that too next time.