gourmet apples

[buddie]

where do you order your gourmet apples (ones covered in different chocolates etc)

[mrswaz]

I like to make my own, actually. They are a little time consuming, but not hard, and sooooo worth it.

However, here is an online company that a friend ordered from, and the apples are incredible.

www.theapplelady.com

[buddie]

could you tell me how to make them? i would like about 15 of them! no idea how much chocolate or what kinds etc thanks!!!!!

[HealthyinMN]

We have had gifts sent to us from Mrs Prindables and they were pretty good. They were ordered through QVC if I remember correctly.

http://www.mrsprindables.com/

[dorothyntototoo]

Rosie O'Donnell once showed some apples that I think came from Williams Sonoma, but I think they were about $10 apiece. I Googled "chocolate apples" & many came up. Here's one from the Food Network.

Dorothy

Caramel and Chocolate Apples

12 Granny Smith apples
12 lollipop sticks
1 pound Caramel
Saran Wrap
Melted dark, white or milk chocolate
1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup M&M's or favorite candy topping
Waxed paper

Insert lollipop sticks into core of apples.
Heat caramel until it becomes liquid. (Can use stove top or microwave). Roll out caramel in between 2 pieces of plastic wrap to flatten. Cut caramel into long strips, about 4 inches long, to fit around apple. Wrap caramel around apple. Stand upright on waxed paper and let set for 15 to 20 minutes.

Melt dark, white or milk chocolate. Pour melted chocolate into a metal bowl. Dip apples into chocolate. Sprinkle chocolate covered apple with nuts, M&M's or your favorite topping. You can also add stripes of dark, white or milk chocolate around the apple. Place decorated apples onto wax paper, standing upright. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

[jules1993]

Just an FYI...the WS apples are something like $20 a piece! As pointed out, they are so easy to make and let you be as creative as you want. I would recommend using really good chocolate rather than regular choc chips. This will give the added expensive taste. Have fun!

Julie

[mrswaz]

could you tell me how to make them? i would like about 15 of them! no idea how much chocolate or what kinds etc thanks!!!!!


Our favorite is to take an apple, dip it caramel and then roll the carameled apple in granola mixed with mini m&m's. Then I melt white chocolate and milk chocolate chips and give the granola/m&m's alternating drizzles with a spoon. If you take the apple while the caramel is still slightly warm, you can roll it in literally anything you want. The posted recipe looks good, but I would use more caramel, and actually dip the apple in for an even coat, and to help things stick to the apple.

The amount of chocolate you need would depend on how heavy you want to drizzle it. :D For 15 apples I would safely say to have two bags of white cocolate chips melted and two bags of milk chocolate, but that would depend on what kind of apples you make. You may want more, you may want less. You can always have extra bags set aside in case you need them and return any unopened ones.

I have made these for a fundraiser and they went over very well. Look in a craft store for large clear plastic party favor bags with twist ties for packaging. Very elegant looking, and you can tie pretty bows and ribbons around the top of the stick as well. Here are some other ideas for you for "roll-ins":

Roll in shredded coconut mixed with finely chopped almonds, add milk or dark chocolate drizzle
Roll in pecans, drizzle in milk or dark chocolate- A la Turtles
Roll in coarsely chopped PB Cups, add desired drizzles
Roll in crushed oreos, Drizzle with white chocolate (for a festive look, use holiday Oreos)
Roll in finely chopped dried pineapple and macadamia nuts, drizzle with milk chocolate
Roll in Rice Krispies, and add a heavy milk chocolate drizzle, and sprinkle the chocolate with rainbow sprinkles for a fun kid favorite
Drizzle with 3 kinds of chocolate for triple chocolate

You can pretty much use any candy bar and chop it up- my most popular are always the ones with M&M's and sprinkles- the kids go for those first.

[buddie]

oh my gosh i am drooling. i am so excited.

i have never bought chocolates before for things like this.

where would i go? what brand?, white, milk, dark.

are we talking like Giradelli chocolate?

i need to practice this weekend

[mrswaz]

I like to use Ghirardelli chips for my apples. But really, the apples are so unique and exciting as they are, that I think you could use whatever you would like. The only ones I would stay away from would be the real cheapie chips- make sure you are using real chocolate. Other than that, I really don't think brand matters that much.

Using chips will make sure that your chocolate sets up enough to handle the apples. Myself, I like to use all three kinds of chocolate, milk, white, and dark. Use what you like! You won't be diappointed.

[LaurenP]

MRSWAZ,
What do you use for caramels? The earlier recipe calls for melting, rolling into stripes etc. Dipping, as you mentioned, sounds quicker.

[LaurenP]

Oh.....

Forgot I was looking at an old thread when I posted here.

[mrswaz]

Lauren- I make my own caramel and use that for dipping. The tricky part for me is that I triple the recipe and use my DH's homebrew pot, so the caramel takes a long time to actually make- but sooo worth it. I keep it on the stove as low as it goes while I am dipping the apples, making sure to stir it a lot. I've thought about dumping it into a crock pot for dipping, but I've always been worried about it setting up and then I have this huge vat of chewy cold caramel to take care of. :)

Here is the recipe I use. Although more often than not, I use half and half instead of heavy cream. I think I've also used evaporated milk in a pinch, and those turned out good as well.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Caramels

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup butter
2 1/4 cups brown sugar -- packed
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Line an 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of the pan. Butter foil, and set aside.

In a heavy 3 qt saucepan melt butter over low heat/ Add brown sugar, cream, and corn syrup, mix well. Cook and stir over medium high heat to boiling. Carefully clip a candy thermeometer to the side of thepan. Cook and stir mixture over medium heat to 248F or firm ball stage. (45 to 60 minutes)

Remove the saucepan from the heat; remove thermometer. Stir in vanilla. Immediately pour caramel mixture into the prepared pan. When firm, use the foil to lift it out of the pan. Use a buttered knife to cut into 1 inch squares. Wrap each caramel in waxed paper. Makes about 2 pounds.

[Goin' Coastal]

What kind of apples work best?

[LaurenP]

Mrswaz,
Thanks so much, i'll give it a try!

[mrswaz]

I always use the large Granny Smith apples. I am not normally a fan of granny smiths, but the tartness is a good balance for the caramel and other sweet goodies. I have also found that they stay fresh tasting a lot longer than other varieties. I can cut into a decorated apple 2-3 weeks after they have been made, and they still taste great. They probably last longer, but they certainly don't last that long here. ;)

Do make sure that you wash each apple thoroughly. I just use water, but I do use a washcloth and give the apples a bit of a rub down. Then I set them on towels and let them air dry overnight. I think that helps the caramel stick to the apple.