Chocolate Caramel Apples...to die for!

Have you been looking for the perfect Halloween party treat? Need something to knock their socks off? Maybe you are just craving something smothered in chocolate, nuts and caramel. No matter the reason, you have got to try these Chocolate Caramel Apples. These will make a party, even if you are not having one.

Several years ago, I came across this recipe and instantly fell in love! I love caramel apples, love chocolate and knew that this recipe was the perfect one to satisfy my craving. The first time I made them, they became the family favorite. Making them is easy and the end result is amazing.

They look almost too good to eat...ALMOST!

Do you ever visit those candy stores at the mall, outlet mall, seaside town or most any place where there are tourists or people that love to eat? You know the ones, they have those amazingly large caramel apples with everything sweet known to man coating the outside. The ones that will feed a small country! These are as close to that as you will get anywhere.

Even as a kid I loved caramel apples. When I had to get braces in junior high, finding out that caramel apples were off limits was devastating! I counted the days until those braces came off and I could enjoy a caramel apple again. Trips to the beach the two years that I had them on were pure torture.

Being able to make these wonderful treats at home is a huge bonus. For me, knowing what is in them makes them taste even better. I don't have to worry about the mystery ingredients that could be lurking. I know it is safe because I chose everything that went onto that apple.

Your friends, even the ones that have no issues with food at all, will think you are amazing! Plus, these caramel apples are the perfect treat to share at any gathering. You can make them up ahead of time and just slice them up when everyone is ready try a piece of your creation.

Now, I have made these many times over the years and have found a few tricks to get them to turn out wonderfully every time! The only time I have problems with this recipe is when I fail make sure the apples have a chance to cool between layers. It is important to let the caramel layer chill for a while before adding the chocolate layer.

Another great tip is to keep your caramel over the boiling water until all of the apples have been covered. At the very least, allow the caramel to get nice and hot between apples. It starts to harden quickly and by the time you get to the last apple, it won't want to spread on evenly.

When you are coating the outside with chopped nuts, make sure that you don't overload the caramel with nuts. They will begin to slide down the sides of the apple and you'll have an apple sitting in a puddle of caramel covered peanuts, pecans or whatever variety you chose. Yummy, but not the effect you were going for.

Put the caramel coated apples in the refrigerator between layers. Let the caramel get good and hard before you put the chocolate on. Once you have the chocolate on your apple, sprinkle it with the candy and then get them right back into the refrigerator.

They will look amazingly good. If you are able to take your time, you will love the end result. I actually made these today, and didn't give myself enough time. I rushed through the process, because I was short on time. Thankfully I took the picture above before one started to "melt" into a puddle. I knew better than to rush, but there are just those days where twenty-four hours are just not enough.

Now, as with everything else that I write about, play with these! Make them your own. Add your own flair to them and post pictures of your creations. I want to see what kinds of flavors you can come up with. You may give me a new favorite!

This makes a great project to do with your kids. Be careful with the hot caramel and chocolate, but dipping the apples is kind of fun. Watching these works of art come together is mouth watering. It will be hard to not rush the process, but your reward is an amazing chocolate caramel apple!