How Many Calories in a Caramel Apple?

There are certain foods that I crave only in certain seasons, and caramel apples are definitely one of them. If autumn comes and goes and I haven't eaten at least one caramel apple, I feel a little bit deprived. I think we all have little food traditions like that.

My annual caramel apple-eating tradition will continue, regardless of the answer to this question. But just out of curiosity, I wonder:

How many calories are in an average caramel apple?

A) 80 calories
B) 150 calories
C) 300 calories
D) 500 calories

The correct answer is C) 300 calories. Keep in mind this number is a general estimate, and could be much higher or lower depending on the size of the apple, thickness of the caramel, and possible additional ingredients like nuts.

How to Make Caramel Apples

A Fall Dessert Recipe Favorite - Chocolate Covered Apples, Too

Take an apple, insert a stick, dip it in luscious caramel and enjoy one of Fall's most well loved desserts.

Caramel apples are a Fall dessert favorite, great for Halloween parties, school carnivals and bake sales. Make them traditional style, double dip them in chocolate or cover them with nuts. Here's how to make them.

Caramel Apples Recipe

Ingredients:

• 10 Granny Smith or Fuji apples, stems removed
• 10 rustic branch-like sticks or craft sticks
• wax paper
• butter
• 100 pieces caramels, unwrapped
• 1/4 cup water

Directions:

1. Insert a stick into the end of each apple, approximately halfway into it.
2. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.
3. Butter the top of the wax paper, to prevent apples from sticking
4. Fill a medium-size saucepan with water and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat so that water is simmering, and place a bowl over the sauce pan.
6. Place the caramels and 1/4 cup of water into the bowl and stir constantly until all of the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
7. Remove the bowl from the saucepan, and set on a trivet.
8. Dip each apple into the melted caramel one at a time, twirling the apple by the stick to coat evenly.
9. Pull the apple out of the melted caramel, and use a spoon to scrape any extra caramel from the base of the apple.
10. Place the apple on the buttered wax paper.
11. Repeat the process until all apples are dipped.
12. Place the tray of dipped apples into the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes until caramel is set.

The recipe above is for traditional caramel apples. For double dipped chocolate covered apples, or caramel apples covered in nuts, coconut or Almond Roca, follow the next set of instructions.

Chocolate Covered Apples Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups chocolate, chopped
• 10 caramel apples

Directions:

1. Melt 2 1/2 cups of chopped chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan full of simmering water.
2. Stir constantly until chocolate is fully melted.
3. Remove the bowl from the saucepan, and set on a trivet.
4. Dip the bottom half of each caramel apple, one at a time, into the chocolate.
5. Use a spoon to scrape the extra chocolate from the base of the apple.
6. Place the apples on buttered wax paper.
7. Place the tray of chocolate coated apples into the refrigerator for 10 minutes until set.

Both traditional style or chocolate covered apples can be covered in nuts, coconut or Almond Roca by using the following method.

Caramel Apple Toppings

Choose one of the following ingredients, or a combination of them to use as toppings:

• 2 cups chopped peanuts, unsalted
• 2 cups shredded toasted coconut
• 2 cups chopped Almond Roca candy
• 2 cups chopped toasted hazelnuts
• 2 cups mini-size chocolate or white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Place the topping of choice in a bowl.
2. Roll the bottom half of each apple into the bowl to coat with the topping.
3. Place the apple back on the buttered wax paper.
4. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes, until set.

This caramel apple recipe is a very versatile one. Be creative with the toppings, or use white chocolate in place of regular chocolate for another variation. The possibilities are endless, and the result is a decadent caramel dessert to be enjoyed this Fall season.