Vegan Caramel Dipped Apples

Halloween Special: Vegan Caramel Apple Pops - Your New Favorite Fall Dessert! 🍏✨

Happy National Caramel Apple Day, my beloved Veginners! 🎉 As a devotee of all things easy, delicious and plant-based, and a die-hard fan of the spookiest holiday ever, Halloween, I just couldn't resist sharing some Vegan Caramel Dipped Apples with you on this special day. 🎃👻

They are so easy to make, using only a few simple ingredients, and you can customize them with your favorite toppings. Plus, they are dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, so you can enjoy them guilt-free. 🙌

In this post, I’ll show you how to make these amazing caramel apples, as well as share some helpful tips on how to store them, keep them fresh, and prevent them from getting sticky or soggy. And as a bonus, I’ll also reveal a secret way to take these apples to the next level. So, grab your apples, your kids, your friends, and let's have some fun in the kitchen! 🌟👩‍🍳

Vegan Caramel Dipped Apples Recipe

Servings: 6 apples

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Setting Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 apples

• 6 popsicle sticks (jumbo size recommended for stability)

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk

• 1 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Toppings:

• Chopped nuts (e.g., pecans, walnuts, almonds)

• Vegan chocolate chips, melted for drizzling

• Shredded coconut

• Vegan sprinkles

• Crushed vegan cookies or graham crackers

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Apples: Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Remove the stems. Insert popsicle sticks into the top center of each apple.

2. Make the Caramel: In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, sugar, and coconut oil. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens (about 25 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Allow the caramel to cool for a few minutes.

3. Dip the Apples: Dip each apple into the caramel, ensuring it's fully coated. Let any excess caramel drip off.

4. Add Toppings: While the caramel is still wet, roll or sprinkle your chosen toppings onto the apple. For drizzled chocolate, use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle melted vegan chocolate over the caramel-coated apple. If using multiple toppings, layer them as desired, pressing gently to adhere.

5. Set the Apples: Place the apples on a tray lined with parchment paper, sticks pointing up. Allow them to set in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

6. Serve and Enjoy: Once set, the apples are ready to be enjoyed! If desired, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes for a softer caramel texture before serving.

💁‍♀️ Tip: If your caramel is not achieving the desired thickness, here's what you can do:

1. Cooking Time: Before adding any extra ingredients, try cooking the caramel a little longer on low to medium heat. This will allow more of the moisture to evaporate, which can help the caramel thicken. Make sure to stir it regularly to prevent burning.

2. More Sugar: If after extra cooking time the caramel is still too thin, adding more sugar can help. The sugar will melt and integrate with the existing caramel, helping to thicken it. However, adding too much sugar can also make the caramel overly sweet, so do it gradually.

💫 Bonus: Take this recipe to the next level by first dipping the apples in caramel, letting them set in the refrigerator, and then dipping them in chocolate and peanut butter! 🤤

Estimated Nutritional Information for 1 Caramel Apple (Toppings Excluded):

• Calories: 300 kcal

• Protein: 0g

• Total Fat: 7g

  • Saturated Fat: 6g (mostly from coconut milk)

  • Trans Fat: 0g

  • Monounsaturated & Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g

• Total Carbohydrates: 35g

  • Dietary Fiber: 4g

  • Sugars: 30g

• Cholesterol: 0mg (It's vegan!)

• Sodium: 0mg

• Potassium: 100mg

• Vitamin A: 1% DV

• Vitamin C: 10% DV

• Calcium: 1% DV

• Iron: 2% DV

Storage Tips for Optimal Freshness:

Caramel apples can last in the refrigerator for up to one week, provided they are stored properly. Here's how to maximize their freshness and taste:

1. Let Them Set: After you've made the apples, ensure they are fully set in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or until the caramel (and chocolate, if used) has hardened.

2. Wrap Them: Once set, individually wrap each apple in plastic wrap or beeswax wrap to prevent moisture build-up and to protect them from other flavors and odors in the fridge.

3. Store in an Airtight Container: Place the wrapped apples in an airtight container. This provides an added layer of protection against moisture and keeps them fresh.

4. Enjoy Within a Week: While the apples are best enjoyed within the first few days for optimal freshness and texture, they can last up to a week in the refrigerator. Over time, the moisture from the apple can cause the caramel to become a bit more sticky or gooey, but they will still be delicious.

5. Serve at Room Temperature: When you're ready to eat or serve the apples, it's best to remove them from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes. This softens the caramel slightly and enhances the flavors, while making the apples easier to bite into.

6. Caramel Consistency: The caramel should remain intact and shouldn't melt under typical room temperature conditions. However, if the room is particularly warm or if the apples are placed in direct sunlight, the caramel can become soft and slightly sticky.

7. Freshness and Safety: While the caramel and nuts are safe at room temperature, remember that the apple inside is a fresh fruit. It's best not to leave them out for extended periods, especially if it's warm or humid. A few hours should be okay, but overnight or longer could impact the apple's freshness.

8. Other Coatings: If your apples also have chocolate or peanut butter coatings in addition to caramel, these could become soft or start to melt at room temperature, especially if it's on the warmer side.

The seeds inside apple pops typically aren't a concern for a few reasons:

1. Eating Direction: People usually eat caramel apples from the outside towards the core, so they naturally avoid the seed-containing center.

2. Insertion of Stick: When you insert the popsicle stick into the apple, it's usually done through the stem end, pushing down towards the base. This method keeps the core and seeds undisturbed.

Should I do another blog post about how to properly clean and store apples? 🍎 Let me know in the comments! Love, Cheryl