- The sugar burnt.
- Heat was too high, or you weren't watching. Caramel burns in moments. Remove as soon as amber coloured!
- Caramel slid off the apple.
- Either caramel was too hot/runny, or apple skin was wet. Dry apple thoroughly, and let sauce cool until thickening.
Homemade toffee apples
This isn't the fairground candy apple with rock-hard glaze, but a more refined version coated in buttery caramel sauce (toffee). Here the caramel is soft, creamy, and rich, forming a perfect contrast with the fresh crispness of tart apples. Salt in the caramel (salted caramel) simply causes addiction.
Ingredients
4
whole
Tart apples (e.g. Granny Smith)
200
g
Granulated sugar
50
g
Butter
100
ml
Double cream (min. 30%)
1
tsp
Vanilla extract
0.5
tsp
Salt
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- Wooden sticks
- Baking parchment
Allergen Information
Milk
Instructions
1
✓
Wash apples in hot water (to remove wax), then dry completely. Insert sticks.
Tip: Wax layer causes caramel to slip. Dryness is key to adhesion.
2
✓
Melt sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Don't stir, just swirl the pan until amber coloured.
Tip: If you stir, sugar crystallises. Let heat do the work.
3
✓
Remove from heat, carefully (it may spit!) stir in butter, then cream. Return to heat and stir until smooth.
Tip: Cold cream may seize the sugar, but heat will melt it back into a creamy emulsion.
4
✓
Stir in salt and vanilla. Let cool for a few minutes until it starts thickening.
Tip: If dipped too hot, layer will be thin. If too cold, you can't dip. Aim for honey consistency.
5
✓
Dip apples, swirl off excess, place on baking parchment to set.
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 4 whole Tart apples (e.g. Granny Smith)
- 200 g Granulated sugar
- 50 g Butter
- 100 ml Double cream (min. 30%)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp Salt