An Apple a Week: Calvados Caramel Apples with Salted Walnuts
Some take the high road, and some take the low. But me, I like to walk somewhere in the middle. When figuring out how to "caramel" my apples from apple-picking, I knew I didn't want the sugar sheet wrap-on caramel, and I didn't feel like starting from scratch with sugar and corn syrup. The traditional cheaters way seems to be to melt down a couple bag fulls of Kraft caramel squares and get that sweet, chewy, iconic texture. After all, each bag of caramels has a caramel apple recipe on the back, and five free apple sticks included. But that wasn't enough: I needed to go gourmet. I added a splash of Calvados, a French apple brandy, and a light dip of toasted walnuts and sea salt.
Calvados Caramel Apples with Salted Walnuts
- makes 6 apples -
Ingredients
6 medium apples
2 bags of individually wrapped Kraft caramels (about 50 caramels totals)
1/4 cup Calvados (alternatively, use regular brandy, apple cider, or apple juice)
1 cup of walnuts, toasted in a 300 degree oven for 10 minutes, chopped (you could also use pecans)
1 teaspoon of course sea salt, Maldon salt, or fleur de sel (use only 1/2 teaspoon if using regular fine salt)
Procedure
1. Wash and completely dry the apples. Insert a stick into the stem end of each apple.
2. Add the Calvados and caramels to a heavy-bottomed sauce pot over low heat. Stir occasionally for 15 minutes, until the caramel is melted. If you find the caramel is too thick for successful dipping, shut of the heat, add a little more Calvados, and turn on the heat again. With brandy, flare ups are possible, so use caution.
3. Put the walnuts and salt into a bowl and combine.
4. Dip the apples into the melted caramel, using a spoon to help it along.
5. Dip the bottom of the apple into the walnut-salt mixture, making sure the caramel sticks to both.
6. Let cool on a Silpat or buttered wax paper for 30 minutes.
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5 Comments:
I want this right now.
Tellicherry at 11:19PM on 10/19/08
Me too Cherry. Went to a street festival today and had a choice of one of those (or similar) and a Hawaiian ice. I went with the ice, with strawberry syrup. I think caramel apples are in my future though.
maered at 2:44AM on 10/20/08
What variety of apple did you use? I've found the best combo is sweet caramel and a crisp, tart apple and some salt or salty nuts.
PerkyMac at 10:55AM on 10/20/08
i used both granny smith and gala. i agree!
Kerry Saretsky at 12:50PM on 10/20/08
Sweet Lord, these look good. Almost too good--in a bad way.
Deb Harkness at 12:09AM on 10/21/08