Make Inside Out Caramel Apples
Delight your guests or your children with these scrumptious inside-out caramel apples. Caramel apples aren’t only a fall time treat--you can make them virtually any time of year, perfect for a sweet ending to an afternoon picnic or party.
Contents
Ingredients
- 3 large Granny Smith apples
- 1 large lemon (or lemon juice)
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. light corn syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans--optional
Steps
Gather Ingredients and Prepare The Apples
- Hit the grocery store for ingredients and consider purchasing the highest quality ingredients possible.
- Look for larger than average apples that are firm to the grasp and have no bruising or damage.
- Purchase enough ingredients so you can make more than what the recipe calls for--these sweet delights won’t last long.
- Check your kitchen for tools you need to create the apples or head to the kitchen and bath store to pick up certain items.
- Sharp knives to not only cut apple in half but help cut the inside of the apple.
- Melon ball scoop to refine and create your well inside the apple.
- Saucepan, candy thermometer parchment paper and cookie sheet. You’ll create the caramel sauce in the pan and pour it into waiting apples sitting on a parchment paper laden cookie sheet. Use the candy thermometer to determine the exact temperature while making the caramel sauce.
- Cut the apples in half lengthwise. Make a clean cut down the middle. You will need to use a very sharp knife.
- Slide a smaller knife around the inside of the apple, traveling near the outer edges (near the skin). Make a few hash marks into the apple flesh (not on the skin).
- Dig into the apple centers with your melon ball scoop. Scoop out the middle of the apple, but be careful to leave some flesh near the edges (for a better hold of the caramel).
- Cut the lemon in half and squeeze juice over the cut, prepare the apple slices to preserve the apple color and texture (the oxidation process will begin to turn the apple brown immediately without the lemon).
- Pat inside and outside of apple with a paper towel to remove excessive lemon juice. While you want the lemon to protect your apple extra juice will interfere not only with the taste but how well the caramel adheres to the apple.
Add Caramel Sauce to Apple
- Create caramel sauce. Combine brown sugar, butter, heavy cream and corn syrup in a Saucepan over high heat.
- Stir until brown sugar has dissolved.
- Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until a temperature of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} is reached (use your candy thermometer). This process could take up to 7 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla. Continue stirring until mixture stops bubbling and allow it to cool for up to 15 minutes.
- Line a cookie sheet, covered in parchment paper with waiting apple halves.
- Check apples to ensure they are still a golden color, have not turned brown but are also not carrying excessive lemon juice.
- Pour cooled caramel into hollowed out apples and fill just below the top edges.
- Sprinkle each apple with pecan nuts or any other nut or candy at this stage. Work quickly before the caramel sets.
- Slide the cookie sheets into the refrigerator and allow to set and cool for approximately 20 minutes.
- Quarter apples into slices once they have set and hardened. Serve chilled.
Tips
- Top with chocolate or raspberry sauce once the apples have set and cooled.
- Provide special sweet and savory dipping sauces to kick the sweetness factor up a notch.
- Create an easier caramel sauce by melting 2 cups of store-bought caramel squares and 2 tablespoons od corn syrup in a pan over low heat.
Warnings
- Always take care when cooking with caramel. The sauce can bubble and burn the skin if not properly monitored. Cook sauce when children and pets are either not in the room or away from the stove.
Related Articles
- Make Caramel from Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Make Caramel Apple Bars
- Make Caramel Apples
- Make Mini Caramel Apples
Sources and Citations
http://domesticfits.com/2011/10/12/inside-out-caramel-apples/