Honey Vanilla Caramel Apples

September 20, 2011 · by

Caramel apples are a classic fall treat that we all crave & our kids go crazy over.  Although indulging is definitely nice, it sure is nice to indulge in a treat that is actually good for you.  

These Honey Vanilla Caramel apples are sweetened with honey & vanilla.  They also contain heavy cream, which has gotten a bad rep.  Heavy cream, in portions, is actually really good for you.  Full of GOOD fats, which our bodies need – and our children’s bodies need even more.

My kids crave these.

Yes, my oldest daughter is clutching a nearly empty gallon of fresh chocolate milk (from our local creamery).  I told her to take it…fast…before I finished it up (again).

You can also just made this as a dip to dunk sliced apples in.

Here’s what you need:

Honey Vanilla Caramel Apples

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Ingredients:

 

  • 6 medium apples, chilled (I like Granny Smith – use your favorite)
  • Ice water
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream (if you can get fresh, it’s awesome)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 cups honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Instructions:


Line a baking sheet with a Silicone Liner or aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray.  (I don’t recommend parchment paper as sticks on me).  Skewer each apple.  Place the ice in a large bowl with water, & set to the side.


In a large heavy saucepan, heat the cream & salt over medium high heat until steaming hot.  Stir in the honey & bring to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally.  Lower the heat to medium, & continue to boil, stirring, for 30 minutes.



Remove the pan from the heat & mix in the vanilla.  Place the pan into the ice water & stir with a wooden spoon until thick enough to coat the apples. (If caramel thickens too much, return to the stovetop to thin out)



Working with 1 apple at a time, hold the apple by the stick & dip into the caramel – tilting to cover all but a 1 inch border at the stem.  Place the apples onto your prepared baking pan & refrigerate for 20 minutes, or until set.

 

MrsHappyHomemaker

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Filed Under: Cooking, Desserts, Fruit, Halloween, Healthy Eating, Kid Favorites ·
  • Anonymous

    Hi there! This is my first visit at your blog and as I was reading & scrolling, I thought I recognized the label on that gallon of chocolate milk. It was confirmed when I saw the half gallon of heavy cream. For years I stopped “my local co-op” each week and purchased 2 gallons of Homeland Creamery milk for my boys. DH and I don’t drink milk, by we love your ice cream! Our boys are both in college now, but I always try to have fresh Homeland Creamery milk when I know they are coming home for the weekend. Can’t wait to make these caramel apples…thanks for sharing the recipe!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08776584538863129486 Gypsy Heart

    #1 ~ your girls are beautiful!!

    #2 ~ how amazing to have your own creamery…and

    #3 ~ I will definitely try this for my grands. IMHO, it’s much better than using the caramel candies. Thanks so much for sharing!

    xo
    Pat

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12274699008746761375 laurie

    These caught my eye over on Tasty tuesdays..yum!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09508156906475192446 Mrs Happy Homemaker

    Thanks everyone! We don’t own the creamery though – it’s our’s as in our area’s local family owned creamery. If I owned it, Id never sale any milk cus I’d be drinking it all :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06824268220479218191 Jennifer

    Hi, I’m a new follower. I found you on Sunday Strolling Blog Hop. Hop over and
    say hi if you get a chance Jennifer from Just Wedeminute–

    Wow, those apples look so good, we are going to have to try them. I head over to our local dairy every 2 weeks so next time I will get some fresh heavy cream for this fall treat!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00781285876929135642 Digital Scrapbooking Made Easy

    SMART idea! If you get a chance, I’d love you to link up! (http://scrapbookingez.blogspot.com/2011/09/everyone-wins-giveaway-linky-party.html.) Thanks for sharing this!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11319417377874151604 Debi

    Found this recipe on What’s Cooking Wednesdays. Love this recipe and your blog. Following you on Google Friend Connect.

    Beautiful, Beautiful Girls!

    <3 and Hugs! Debi

  • http://morestylethancash.com Ingrid@morestylethancash

    Hi! Came over from Someday Crafts. I totally agree that cream has a bad rap!

    Have you ever heard of Honey Crisp Apples? That is the apple I am going to try this with as I find them much more flavorful than Granny Smith. thanks for the recipe!

  • http://rebekahdawn.wordpress.com/ rebekahdawn

    Yum! I can’t wait to try these!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08076302981360255494 Mamie

    These look so good! Gets me in the mood for fall.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/07401110481230076871 joelissaplustwins

    Thank you for this! I was wanting to make my own caramel apples, but was going to be sheets of caramel. This is so much better!!!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/04662479330299670436 Mandi@MandiBeingCrafty

    Yummy! I love that you took something so bad for you and turned it into a good thing! I might do it and just have my kids dip their apples into it! Stopping by from Someday Crafts link party

  • http://www.beyondthepeel.net/ France@beyondthepeel

    I LOVE that there is no sugar in this recipe! Those apples look amazing. Swoon….

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/14514573517152001143 Kate @ craftwhatever

    Mmmm. I will have to try these soon while the apples are in season! My kids were just asking about caramel apples… Thanks for sharing the idea.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/14658553938963881722 robin

    Yum! These sound like the perfect fall treat. We love wildflower honey. It’s the best!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09643071490529563224 Lotte Lu and Brother Too

    LOVE it! I’ve been wanting to make caramel apples, but I know how insanely sugary they are. These will make me feel a little bit better about eating them myself, and sharing them with the kids! Thanks!

    Kaleigh from
    Lotte Lu and Brother Too

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/04545227096651166019 Kelli@MoreBangforYourBucks

    Um, yes please! Love caramel- could you pour this over popcorn as well?
    http://www.morebangforyourbucks.blogspot.com

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09508156906475192446 Mrs Happy Homemaker

    @Kelli – I don’t see why you couldn’t! That sounds really good actually. Yum!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/04545227096651166019 Kelli@MoreBangforYourBucks

    PS featuring this on my blog tomorrow! :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03822441920980608824 jsprik

    since i am (refined) sugar and gluten free, i could use more recipes like this!! :) thnx!!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11475512126468808693 MrsFoxsSweets

    These look great! I can’t wait to make Caramel Apples soon!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/18309452475108984212 Raina

    Yum! I love candy apples….these look great:)

  • http://www.lindenandlace.com Lindsay

    Thank you for posting this tutorial! We’re having a ‘welcome fall’ party in a couple of days, and I’m so excited to try out your recipe :)

  • http://www.delightingintoday.com Jenna

    These sound so delicious! Now I’m hungry…. :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/13166718220908549889 Kim McCallie

    I’ve been wanting to incorporate more honey into my cooking. We have excellent local honey very close to me. These apples look delicious! I’d like to invite you to share your recipe on Sweet Indulgences Sunday.

    http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/09/sweet-indulgences-sunday-23.html

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06605260499203740089 Amber *SaltTree*

    Anything that looks like candy and has the word ‘healthy’ in the name goes onto my make list! These look delicious!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06990448907520193758 Miz Helen

    Hi Crystal,
    Your daughter is adorable with that apple. This is a great recipe for Honey Vanilla Caramel Apples that I will be making, very soon. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/13620861927380088746 Mindie Hilton

    Oh these look great, and so did your cupcakes. I would love for you to share if you haven’t already at Bacon time.

    http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16212737411857081818 Rachel

    This looks great & is homemade & natural, no icky “fake” stuff! I would love for you to share this on my link up Healthy 2day Wednesdasy this week and every week you have a post that fits! Blessings! :)

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