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Photo, Erik Putz.
Caramel, popcorn and salted peanuts add a little something different to this fall favourite.
6 wooden sticks
6 medium tart apples, such as Granny Smith
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup 35% cream
1/2 cup butter
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
kettle popcorn
salted peanuts
LINE a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Insert chopsticks into apples.
STIR brown sugar with corn syrup, cream, butter, maple syrup, vanilla and salt in medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high until sugar dissolves, about 3 min. Boil, stirring constantly (and slowly) until candy thermometer registers 240F, about 10 min. Scrape caramel into heatproof 2-cup liquid measure and cool to 200F, about 10 min.
DIP apples, coating almost to the top. Invert, turning frequently, to allow caramel to set. Place apples on prepared sheet (it will pool a bit). Refrigerate about 2 min. If caramel pools, you can press it back up onto apple while still warm. Roll in kettle corn and salted peanuts. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Caramel apples can be made up to 1 week ahead.