Ingredients

• 2 packages (14 oz each) chewy caramel candies
• 1/4 cup water
• 8-10 tart apples
• 8-10 thick wooden skewers or popsicle sticks

Instructions

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place caramel candies and water in microwave-safe bowl and heat on high 1 minute, stir, and heat 1 minute additional. Stir to combine. Let sit while you wash and dry apples. Stick thick wooden skewers or popsicle sticks into apples (along the core) about 3/4 of the way through, leaving enough of the stick for a handle. Holding by stick, roll apples in caramel to coat, then roll in coating, if desired (see below), and place on baking sheet with sticks pointing straight upwards.  Place in fridge for at least 15 minutes to let set.

Crockpot

To make this same recipe in the crockpot, place caramel candies and water in the slow cooker and cook 1 to 1 1/2 hours on high, then follow the rest of the instructions above.

Stovetop

Place caramel candies and water in a saucepan and heat over medium-high burner, stirring constantly to avoid scorching, until completely smooth. Then follow instructions above.

Use one or more of these coating ideas to bring variety to your caramel apple treats! Or, put several options in dishes and let your kids decorate the apples however they like, making sure the caramel isn't so hot it will burn their fingers.

Crunchy Coatings

After coating with caramel, roll your apples in:

• Dry-roasted peanuts

• Toasted slivered almonds

• Chopped pecans

• Chopped cashews

• Ground nuts (any kind)

• Trail mix

Sweet Decorations

Drizzle or sprinkle with one or more of the following:

• Melted semi-sweet chocolate chips

• Melted peanut butter chip

• Reese's pieces

• M&Ms

• Cinnamon red-hot candies

• Crushed hard toffee bar (eg, Heath or Skor)

• Rainbow or chocolate sprinkles