October 31st is National Caramel Apple Day #NationalCaramelAppleDay. A couple months ago Charlie let his dad know he would like to have a Carmeal Apple because it had been a while since he had one. With today being #Halloween I knew I needed to get Charlie something.
Candy is out because of the tooth ache he has which also puts Caramel Apples out as well. Although I though it might be fun to make Caramel Apples for my nieces and nephews with Charlie’s help. Would you like to join us and we can make Carmeal Apples for your family as well.
As if October 31st wasn’t awesome enough with costumes, Ghouls, Candy, and spooky things galore – and today is also National Caramel Apple Day! Caramel Apples and Halloween go together like Ghosts, Goblins, tricks, and treats.
The tradition stretches back decades to the day a creative Kraft confectioner invented the wonderfully simple recipe while trying to figure out what to do with a bunch of excess Halloween Caramels. I don’t know about you but I would like to say “Bravo, sir! Excellent idea!” Now take a big, sweet, crunchy bite out of our Carmeal Apple which I will pass on because I don’t care for Caramel. How about you?
In the 1950s, a Kraft Foods employee had a plethora of Caramel Candies leftover from the Ghoulish holiday and, apparently, a few Apples as well. Figuring out a way to use up these extra Caramels, the confectioner, Dan Walker, decided to melt Caramels and covered the Apples with the melted Caramel, creating an immediate Autumnal classic.
As Fall is associated so commonly with Apple picking, Apple Cider and Caramel Apples don’t fall far from the metaphorical Tree. As Apple Season comes to a close in late October, the remaining Apples are either used to create Hot Apple Cider, Apple Pie, or deliciously sticky and sweet Caramel Apples.
Did you know it didn’t take long for Caramel Apples to become the official snack of hayrides and Corn mazes, but it did take long for Caramel and Apples to become what they are today. From their advents in the Middle East to the tall tale (or fact?) of Johnny Appleseed, Apples have a long history with humans. Caramel was created roughly around 1000 AD and, since then, the Candies have held a firm place in the drawers of grandparents everywhere and, more recently, atop Apples.
National Caramel Apple Day Activities
- All food-related holidays and observances are best experienced with gusto and National Caramel Apple Day is no exception. Get yourself a Caramel Apple before they’re gone and don’t forget to get one for your friends and family.
- We know the basics: melted Caramel, an Apple (Granny Smith, Fuji, etc.) and a stick. But there are so many ways to prep this Halloween standard including Covering your Caramel Apple with Peanuts, sprinkles, or Kosher Sallt.
- Make a tasty Caramel Apple and you could use a Granny Smith Apple with Caramel and White Chocolate?) and then gorge on the Apple while wearing a super-creative Halloween costume like Maria Ann “Granny” Smith herself.
Things To Chew On While Enjoying Caramel Apples
- Colonists in the 1600s first introduced North America to the Apples we eat and enjoy today.
- The only Apple Native to North America is the Crabapple, which most people find sour and unpleasant to eat.
- Rev. William Blaxton, the first colonist to settle in Boston, planted an Apple Orchard in 1625 the first Apple Orchard on the North American Continent.
- John Chapman, who is better known as Johnny Appleseed, introduced Apple Trees to many parts of the American Midwest.
- In 2015, Cosmos Creations of Junction City, Kansas, made the world’s largest Caramel Corn Ball which weighed 6,780 pounds.
Why People Love National Caramel Apple Day
Caramel Apples keep your hands clean and they are delectable treats with the clever addition of a stick, you don’t have to goo up your hands while you’re eating a Caramel Apple. Unless you want to, of course by having a Stick-less Caramel Apple-eaters unite!
Caramel Apples are golden and delicious and they are delectable and Carmal Apples turn your eating experience into something extra yummy.
Golden, delicious Caramel is Apple-friendly and there’s just something sweet and special about the way melted Caramel coats the outside of a bright red Apple. It’s like these ingredients were made for each other.
Recipe for Carmeal Apples
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins
Additional Time: 1 hour 30 mins Total Time: 2 hours 15 mins
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Original recipe yields 8 servings
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 large tart apples
8 wooden chopsticks for handles
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
- Gather all ingredients.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Dip apples in boiling water for a few seconds, using a slotted spoon, then dry with paper towels to remove any wax from the peels. Set apples aside to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- Insert sticks into the bottom of each cooled apple through the core for a handle
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup, and butter together in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat to medium. Cook until a candy thermometer reads 248 degrees F (120 degrees C), stirring constantly to prevent burning, about 25 to 30 minutes. A teaspoon of caramel dropped in a glass of cold water, should form a firm ball.
- Remove caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Working quickly, dip each apple into the hot caramel to completely coat the apple and about 1/2 inch of the wooden handle.
- Sprinkle apples with any desired toppings while still hot.
- Let caramel apples cool on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 hour. Use caution, caramel is very hot.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
