Homemade Caramel Apples

Ingredients

• 8 small Granny Smith apples, washed and very well dried
• 8 sturdy sticks or popsicle sticks
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

Steps

1. Line a baking sheet with greased parchment. Remove the apple stems and push a stick into each top.
2. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup and condensed milk.
3. Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reads 235 to 240°F (soft-ball stage), 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Let it cool for 5 minutes so it clings.
5. Dip each apple, letting the extra drip off, then roll the bottom in peanuts. Set on the sheet and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

TipStore-bought apples have wax that stops caramel from sticking. Dip them in boiling water for 10 seconds and wipe dry first.