Description
Halloween Spiderweb Caramel Apples are a festive and spooky fall treat featuring crisp Granny Smith apples dipped in gooey caramel and decorated with rich chocolate to resemble spiderwebs. Perfect for Halloween parties or a fun family snack, these apples combine a chewy caramel coating with a decorative chocolate web and candy spiders for a delightful seasonal dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 8 Granny Smith Apples
- 8 caramel apple dowels or twigs
Caramel Coating
- 75 Kraft caramels (unwrapped)
- 2 tablespoons water
Chocolate Decoration
- 1 ½ cups (9 ounces) chocolate candy melts
- Chocolate Sprinkles
- Chocolate candies (M&Ms)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Remove the stems from the Granny Smith apples. Insert the caramel apple dowels or twigs firmly into the top of each apple to create handles for dipping and serving. Set aside on a clean surface.
- Line Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking of the caramel-coated apples.
- Melt Caramel: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the unwrapped Kraft caramels and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir occasionally until the caramels are just melted and smooth, taking care not to burn the mixture.
- Dip Apples in Caramel: Holding an apple by the dowel, dip it into the melted caramel. Use a spoon to help coat the sides and top evenly. Hold the apple over the saucepan to allow excess caramel to drip back in and scrape off any excess from the bottom to prevent pooling on the tray.
- Set Caramel: Place the coated apples on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the dipping process for all apples. Chill the apples in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or until the caramel sets.
- Trim Excess Caramel: Using kitchen shears, trim any excess caramel from the base of the apples to create a neat finish.
- Melt Chocolate Candy Melts: Melt the chocolate candy melts according to package instructions, either in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler until smooth.
- Dip Base in Chocolate: Dip the base of each caramel apple into the melted chocolate candy melts. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and then immediately cover the dipped base with chocolate sprinkles for texture and added flavor.
- Chill Chocolate Base: Return the chocolate-coated apples to the baking sheet and chill again until the chocolate sets.
- Pipe Spiderweb Design: Fit a piping bag with a #2 plain tip and fill it with about half a cup of the leftover melted chocolate. Pipe 7 or 8 straight lines radiating from the top of the apple down to the chocolate-coated base.
- Create the Web Pattern: Between the straight lines, pipe curved lines connecting them to form a spiderweb design covering the apple’s caramel surface.
- Add Spiders: For the spiders, pipe 8 small legs out from a spot on the web and place a chocolate candy, such as an M&M, at the center to serve as the spider’s body.
- Final Chill: Keep the decorated apples chilled until serving, for up to 8 hours, to allow all decorations to set firmly.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness and firm texture that pairs well with sweet caramel and chocolate.
- Ensure the caramel is not overheated to avoid burning and a grainy texture.
- Chocolate candy melts provide a smooth coating and easy piping for designs.
- Chilling steps are crucial to set the caramel and chocolate properly for neat, clean decorations.
- Use kitchen shears for precise trimming of excess caramel at the base for a professional look.
- Store finished apples in the refrigerator and serve within 8 hours for best freshness.
- This recipe yields 8 caramel apples, serving two people each as a treat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (half an apple)
- Calories: 273 kcal
- Sugar: 46 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg