Caramel Apples Recipe

Ingredients

Toppings (optional)

	PREP TIME 15m	COOK TIME 15m	TOTAL TIME 30m
YIELD 12 apples

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Fill a large bowl halfway with ice water.
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine cream, sugar (so caramel will not boil over), shortening and corn syrup; bring to a boil over medium heat.
Continue cooking until the temperature registers 245ºF (117ºC) on a candy thermometer, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and briefly plunge the saucepan into ice water to stop the caramel from cooking.
Remove from ice water and let mixture cool a few minutes.
Insert a craft stick into the stem end of each apple.
Dip 1 apple into the caramel; coat the top and sides with caramel using a spoon.
Transfer to prepared baking sheet to cool.
Repeat with remaining apples.
If desired, sprinkle with toppings.
Use 5" (12.5 cm) craft sticks, ¼" (0.6 cm) in diameter.
Serve in seasonal cupcake liners.