Add an adult twist on this kid-favorite fall treat and make red wine caramel apples this year! Gather your friends and family together and make this a Halloween activity where everyone can help and enjoy this delicious dessert.
Side note: it helps to purchase unwaxed apples if you can find them. If not, Google has plenty of ways to remove the wax coating off the apples. If you do not do this the caramel can slide off while cooling.
Ingredients
8 small apples of your choice
1 ½ cups red wine
2 cups white sugar
½ cup water
6 tablespoons heavy cream
8 popsicle sticks
1 candy thermometer
Directions
- Line a tray with wax paper and lightly grease it.
- Insert popsicle stick halfway into each apple at the stem end.
- Boil wine in a small saucepan until reduced to ½ cup, usually 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a large saucepan bring sugar and water to boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Boil, without stirring, swirling the pan occasionally to create the caramel, until it’s a caramel color. Add the reduced wine and swirl pan. Add cream and simmer, stirring until fully incorporated then continue to simmer until the caramel reaches 283°F. Remove from heat and cool to 200°F.
- Holding the apple by the stick, coat the apple by swirling it around in the caramel and let the access drip off. Hold the apple upside down to let the caramel set for about 15 seconds. Put the caramel apples, stick side up, on the tray with wax paper, and let stand until the caramel firms up, about 30 minutes.
An alternative idea that can be done, instead of coating each apple, is use this caramel as a dessert fondue. Once the caramel reaches 230°F and then transfer the caramel to a fondue pot. You can cut up a variety of fruits and dip them into the caramel.
Enjoy!