Chocolate Caramel Apples

Ingredients

• 4 ripe apples, washed and dried thoroughly
• 4 wooden skewers
• 14 ounces (1 bag) soft caramel candy
• 2 tbsp water
• 10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp shortening

Garnish

• 2 cups chopped candy bars, chocolate, or nuts

Directions

Preparation

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and greasing it with butter or oil.
2. Wash and dry the apples carefully. Remove the stems, and stick the skewers firmly in the stem ends.
3. Prepare your garnish for dipping by either pour the sprinkles into a plate, chopping the nuts and placing them onto a shallow plate or chopping the candy bars and placing them onto a shallow plate.

Caramel

1. Place the unwrapped caramels and the water a heat proof bowl and microwave for 1 minute, stirring to soften. You can also melt these in the top of a double boiler, stirring until creamy.
2. Hold the apple by the skewer and dip it in the caramel, rotating it so you have an even layer.
3. Set it on the prepared pan and repeat with remaining apples.
4. Place the full tray in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.

Chocolate

1. Using your favorite melting method (microwave or double boiler), melt the chocolate together with the shortening.
2. Remove apples from the fridge and dip them one by one into the chocolate.
3. While the chocolate is still wet, roll the chocolate into the garnish, or else sprinkle garnish over top, while you rotate the apple.
4. Place finished apples onto the baking sheet.
5. Once they are finished, store in the fridge until ready to eat.