Caramel Apples: A Festive Fall Treat
Written by Heather King
Fall is here, and that means it’s officially caramel apple season! These sweet treats are a classic autumn staple, perfect for any occasion from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Before we bite into our favorite caramel toffee apple recipe, let’s look at the delicious history of caramel apples.
The History of the Caramel Apple
The story of caramel apples dates back to the 1800s. The first caramel apples were made by dipping apples in a sugary syrup. Later, American candy maker Milton Hershey invented caramel as we know it today, and caramel apples soon followed.
However, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that candy apples became a popular fall treat. In 1908, William W. Kolb, a candy maker from New Jersey, started selling his “Red Candy Apples” at a local fair. His creation was an instant hit and soon became a staple at fairs and carnivals across the country.
During World War II, caramel apples became even more popular. Caramel apples were a sweet treat that could be easily made at home with readily available ingredients. Today, caramel apples can be found in various forms, from classic caramel with nuts to chocolate-covered and gourmet flavors.
The beauty of the caramel apple is that it’s portable, relatively healthy, and sweet, making it the perfect snack to enjoy on the go.
This nostalgic bite is sure to bring back memories of childhood and fall festivities. Plus, apples are a good source of fiber and vitamins, so we can even say this sweet treat is good for us, too.
Make Your Own Caramel Toffee Apples
If you’re interested in family-friendly festive fall activity, try making your own gourmet caramel apples at home this year.
You can either make your caramel from scratch with this simple recipe or use prepared sheets of caramel for wrapping and devote your time to decorating and eating your delicious works of art!
For the most beautiful caramel toffee apples, crush your favorite Cache Toffee like Traditional or Traditional Dark (or use Key if there are nut allergy concerns) by using a food processor, meat tenderizer, or chopping with a sharp knife for larger chunks.
Not only will the toffee add visual appeal to your apples, but it also adds buttery toffee crunch and chocolate goodness to every bite.
Once the apple is coated in caramel, roll the bottom third in crushed toffee and cool on parchment paper. You can also drizzle melted chocolate (white, milk, or dark) to give your apples a stunning final flourish.
Enjoy this Festive Fall Treat
From the caramel apple’s humble beginnings in the 1800s to its current status as an iconic fall treat, these sweet and portable snacks have stood the test of time.
So, grab an apple, dip it in caramel, roll it in your favorite Cache Toffee, and indulge in the delicious flavors of autumn.