Looking for fun caramel apple ideas? This recipe for caramel apples with toasted pumpkin seeds and pistachios is perfect for Halloween parties or fall gatherings. This treat has all the sweet goodness of homemade caramel from scratch mixed with the the vitamins and nutrients of the fresh apple so you don’t have to feel guilty about your yummy indulgence. Salty Sow’s Corporate Executive Chef Harold Marmulstein shared this “wicked” recipe for caramel apples combining the perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors that is sure to put a smile on your face.
Lots of folks start to worry when they read caramel apples from scratch but this is an easy recipe that doesn’t even require a candy thermometer! Yup, that is right. You can make easy caramel apples from scratch and they are way better than the ones made with caramel candies.
Recipe For Homemade Caramel Apples
YIELD: 6
Caramel Apple Ingredients:
- 6 Fuji or Honey Crisp Apples
- 4 cups White Granulated Sugar
- 4 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 cup Toasted Pistachios
- 8 inch, thick wooden skewers for serving
How To Make Caramel Apples With Homemade Caramel:
1) Wash and dry apples. Then, place on skewers.
2) Heat a flat bottomed over medium heat.
3) Add sugar and gently shake pan until the sugar is melted all the way and turns to a caramel color. (Or for those not experienced with cooking sugar, add ¼ cup water to sugar in a cold pan and cook until it forms the same results.) Never leave sugar unattended as it can go from melted to burnt very quickly.
4) Add cream slowly and cook till smooth caramel, remove and cool to room temperature.
5) Roughly chop seeds and nuts.
6) Insert skewer into the center of the apple by the stem. Then, dip the whole apple into the homemade caramel.
7) Roll dipped apples in chopped nuts and/ or pumpkin seeds to coat and shake off the excess.
8) Place the bottom of the apple on a baking sheet covered in wax paper or parchment paper and chill till set.
Q&A:
Can I substitute brown sugar? Yes, but the resulting caramel will have more of a butterscotch flavor.
Can I use popsicle sticks instead of thick skewers? Absolutely, but you may have to use a small, thin knife first to make stabbing easier or cut the the tip of the stick to make it more pointed.
Do I have to chill my apples first? Cold apples work great because the caramel will harden up more quickly but it is not necessary.
Will Granny Smith apples work? Yes. They are more tart than Fuji but still delicious!
Printable Recipe Card For Caramel Apples With Nuts And/Or Pumpkin Seeds
Recipe For Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- 6 each Fuji or Honey Crisp Apples
- 4 cups Sugar
- 4 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 cup Toasted Pistachios
Instructions
- Wash and dry apples, place on skewers.
- In a flat bottomed pot, heat until hot.
- Add sugar and gently shake pan until the sugar is melted all the way and turns to a caramel color (add ¼ cup water to sugar in a cold pan and cook until it forms the same results for those not experienced with cooking sugar).
- Add cream slowly and cook till smooth caramel, remove and cool to room temp.
- Roughly chop seeds and nuts
- Dip apples in caramel
- Roll apples in chopped seeds and nuts to coat and shake off the excess
- Place upside down on waxed paper and chill till set
Nutrition Facts
Recipe For Caramel Apples
Serves: 6
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1393.43 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 78.87 g | 120% | |
| Saturated Fat 39.6 g | 195% | |
| Trans Fat 0.01 g | ||
| Cholesterol 217.37 mg | 72.3% | |
| Sodium 65.16 mg | 2.7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 170.81 g | 56.7% | |
| Dietary Fiber 7.77 g | 28% | |
| Sugars 158.27 g | ||
| Protein 14.38 g | ||
| Vitamin A 73.57 % | Vitamin C 12.09 % | |
| Calcium 14.68 % | Iron 16.85 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
Sweet caramel is one of my favorite things. If there is any extra left from your batch of caramel, pour the caramel sauce over a bowl of ice cream- heaven!
I hope you enjoy this recipe for caramel apples. Who knew it was so easy to make caramel apples with such simple ingredients?! Thanks again to the Salty Sow, a gastropub in Phoenix, Arizona, for sharing this yummy recipe for homemade caramel apples with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Conclusion
Caramel apples made from scratch are a delightful mix of crisp, juicy apples paired with the rich, buttery sweetness of homemade caramel. The apple provides a refreshing, tart contrast to the sweet caramel, depending on the variety. Granny Smith apples are often used because their tartness balances well with the rich caramel. The homemade caramel has a deep, buttery flavor with hints of vanilla and brown sugar. It’s sweet but not overly sugary, with a smooth, creamy texture. Add seeds and or nut for the perfect bite. You get the snap of the crisp apple followed by the soft, chewy caramel, and the crunch of the nuts.
These homemade caramel apples are sure to be a fun treat to fix with your kids. These also make great gifts for the fall season. Have you ever had homemade caramel apples or have you ever made them yourself? Feel free to share you tips or variations on recipes for caramel apples in the comments or on social media @familyfocusblog!
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Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families says
Yummy! Thank you for sharing this recipe for homemade candy apples.
Eli@coachdaddy says
This is happenin’ at my house, minus the pistachios (there’s a nut allergy among us), but the pumpkin seeds? Are you kidding? The perfect caramel apples!
Eli
Ethen Smith says
Delectable! Thank you for sharing this recipe for increasing my knowledge and lesson for today such as homemade candy apples
Again thanks a lot….!!!!!!!!!
Olivia Thirlby says
I love the caramel apples toasted pumpkin seeds!!! These look great, Thank you Scarlet!!
Howard says
I also tried this caramel apples with nuts recipe, it was very tasty. The sweetness of the caramel blends perfectly with the slight tang of the apple, making each bite balanced and satisfying. Then a bit of saltiness from the nuts. Perfect. Thank you for this homemade candy apple recipe.
Kidzonia says
These caramel apples sound delicious and are a fun, healthy treat that can be enjoyed by kids and parents alike! At Kidzonia, we believe in incorporating creative and nutritious activities into our curriculum, just like this delightful recipe. It’s wonderful to see such tasty and wholesome ideas being shared!
Cutting Edger says
This recipe for caramel apples with pumpkin seeds and pistachios is the perfect fall treat! I love how it takes a classic dessert and adds a nutty, crunchy twist. The mix of flavors and textures makes them a standout treat for any occasion. Definitely a great idea for homemade gifts or festive fall celebrations.