Caramel slid off my apples :( - Page 2

Andrea, thanks for all of the great info. I have my ingredients, but will wait to make them around Thanksgiving. If I get my apples from an orchard near me, will I have to scrub them? They have a store there, but I can't imagine that they would wax their apples.

are you making sure there completely dry? I make these for Christmas and the first year I made them this happened to me. then I went hunting for tips. first was washing the wax off, second was making sure there completely dry...good to know about the sand paper I'm gonna have to try that

Apti,

not full-time, just a fun side job!

Peter's is good. It will do the job for all of the things you are talking about. I like to use Midway's Finest caramel dip because it is easier to work with, but both are good.

I will make a pictorial as soon as possible, but I will give you some general ideas to get started.

The best way to melt your caramel is in a double-boiler because it doesn't ever have contact with the heat so it is much easier to control and you don't risk burning it. If you use the caramel loaf, put it in a clean #10 can or something like that, then put that in a larger pot of water with a little rack or something so the bottom of the can doesn't touch the pot. Fill the water about 3/4 up the side of the can. Turn the heat to about medium. You will want to heat the caramel to about 170-180. If you are using a loaf, it will be easiest to cut it in small chunks to melt faster. All of the prep is why the Caramel Dip is easier than the loaf. They cost about the same, depending on where you get it.

Once you have the caramel melted, you can dip whatever you need. Hold one end of the pretzel stick and dip it in. Let it drip, scrape off any excess, and you are done! Let the caramel cool completely before you do anything else with it (at least an hour). You don't need to chill the pretzel first, although you may want to chill it after the caramel is on to help it set up faster. It doesn't make it as glossy, though, but if you are covering it with chocolate it doesn't matter.

Then you do the same type of thing to the apple. Punch the stick in after it is washed and dried, then just hold the stick and dip it and scrape.

for turtles, you can just spoon the caramel on.

Hopefully that helps for now, and I will try to get some pictures or a video up soon.

scp1127, you shouldn't have to scrub them for wax, but I usually do anyway to make sure I get all the pesticide off. If I have to wash/rinse them anyway, I might as well do the full job and make SURE there aren't any problems. The same is true for organic apples, btw.

Andrea0730, You are a wonderful woman. I immediately did a search for the Midway Caramel Dip and found two places that sell it as an individual can instead of a case. Yippee! After I ask you a few MORE questions, I'll order my can.

Will I have to use all the caramel dip once the can is opened, or can I store it to use later? Here's a link to a picture of the type of pecan turtles I want to make:
http://www.chocolate.com/products/handmade-giant-turtles/

When I make the turtles, will the caramel stay in place and not spread around or do I have to completely encase them in chocolate? Once you make the turtles or pretzels, how quickly do you have to consume them? Could they be frozen and thawed later?

Did you know how to do caramel apples before you started your fun side job, or did you learn after you started?

Andrea, have you ever used Daffy Apple Caramel? I bought it to use in my business. The taste is good and the texture is good a room temp so you don't pull your teeth out, but I haven't used it yet. I called my orchard and they DO wax their apples that are inside the store, but also sell unwaxed ones in bins. They suggested the unwaxed ones for the caramel apples.

scp1127 - Good to know! Yet another reason why I just always scrub the apples. The difference is that the wax ones keep longer on the shelf (before you scrub it off, obviously). So if there is no difference in the quality, make it easy and buy the un-waxed ones! I have never used Daffy personally, but I have heard it is good.

Apti - Nope, it is shelf stable so you don't have to use the whole thing at once. I just put an airtight lid on it and put it back on the shelf. Those turtles look amazing! I forgot to tell you, you don't want to melt the caramel all the way for turtles. Just heat it enough to make it soft and pliable, then you can drop it with a spoon and shape it the way you want. Make sure to let it cool all the way before you put the chocolate on or the chocolate will slide! Also, you may want to thin the caramel a little with corn syrup, evaporated milk, or sweetened condensed milk (depending on your taste preference) if you like a very soft caramel for the center. I would consume them within a few days so it doesn't make the nuts or pretzels soggy. You may be able to freeze them, depending on what kind of chocolate you use. It is always best to eat them right away, though, as most things change texture and taste slightly when frozen and thawed. I didn't know how to do them before I started my business. I just figured it out. When you are doing that many at a time you have to figure it out quickly or you waste a whole lot of inventory! Plus I have seen about every problem there is by now, so I have dealt with just about everything!
For the Midway's Finest, check to see if there are any concession stores that sell it by you so you don't have to pay shipping. It is a Gold Medal product

hi. this may soud strange, but it works! boil a large pot of water on the stove. dip the apples in and and empty the pot of water out, quickly. then take a towel and wipe them off. you will noticed the specks of wax as you wipe them off. them\ dip them,. i got it off the internet and it works for me.

This might be a stupid question, but bear with me


I was thinking of doing Caramel Apple Bites for Thanksgiving. I thought I could just cut up the apple and dip the pieces. After reading through this thread, I'm not sure that will actually work. What are your suggestions?

Thank you!
~Chelle

chelle - that should work fine if you put a little stick in each one and then either leave it in or pull it out before it cools, depending on the look you want. Actually, though, the most common way I have seen them done where I am from is to cut them up and arrange each apple in its own ring (hope that makes sense) and then drizzle the caramel on top with a dollop of whipped cream in the middle.

Yes, it does make sense. Thank you! The look I'm thinking of is caramel apple 'lollypops' for lack of a better description, lol.

After reading other posts, wasn't sure if the moistness of the cut apples would allow the caramel to adhere to it.

Sounds like it might, so I'm gonna give it a try

~Chelle

Pat them as dry as possible, let them sit out for at least 15 minutes until they turn a little discolored, pat again, then give it a try. It still may slide a bit, but that is your best shot. Sounds really cute!