caramel apple recipe that doesn't use corn syrup?

[noobmom]

It's that time of year again and I'm craving (hey, I'm pregnant) caramel apples. Does anyone have a good recipe that doesn't use corn syrup? I tried one last year (I think I took a regular recipe and left out the corn syrup) and although it tasted good, it was a little hard to handle. Anyone have a tried and true recipe?

[Magelet]

no idea about for caramel apples, caramel is easy to make by boiling a can of condensed milk for a while (an hour or two IIRC). I'm sure there are more gourmet ways than that, but that works. Its more... drippy than would work for caramel apples I think.

[artemis33]

OH yum, I'd like to know too

So this isn't tried and true, but I faced the corn syrup issue last weekend when making the icing for my DD's birthday cake. I decided to just use it (yuck!) because I really didn't want to mess up her cake before the party and didn't have time to experiment, but I was contemplating that perhaps subbing brown rice syrup would work. Maybe even honey, depending on the recipe but I doubt honey would set up like corn syrup......

[jenniet]

I saw a recipe on a blog that looks really good but I haven't tried it yet. It uses honey and heavy cream.

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives...es-recipe.html

[phatchristy]

I know I have one...and it's an awesome recipe. I made caramels a couple of years ago for gifts, but they were REALLY soft...I really thought at the time they would have been lovely for caramel apples rolled in pecans. But the flavor was just perfect (though they were a little soft)...they were dessert shop quality and everybody raved. I made holiday gifts that year. If I'm remembering they were predominantely heavy cream, sugar, butter and a little vanilla.

I am certain it doesn't have corn syrup in it because I have never used it in cooking and don't keep it in the house.

The only problem is if I can find it!

(I'll check this weekend)

[phatchristy]

I did find one I had scribbled on one of my papers (my recipes are like a lot of papers). It's not the one I made before, but here's one I found specifically for caramel apples.

Caramel Apples

1 1/2 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
6 tbsp. water
Popsicle sticks
8 to 10 apples (McIntoshes work well)

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar and water. Stir until it has a smooth consistency. Gently bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 3 minutes, until the pan's sides get steamy and the mixture is thin but somewhat sticky. Remove from heat. Pierce the center of each apple with a Popsicle stick, then swirl in the caramel syrup until coated. Place apples on a greased cookie sheet to harden. Refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours. Serves 8 to 10.

I'm trying to remember what the recipe I used was called. I think it *might* have had cream of tartar. It's one of those things that helps the sugar from crystalizing as well. It's mainly a 'texture' issue.

You could also substitute either honey or molasses.

If I find the other recipe I'll post it later.

[noobmom]

Thanks ladies! I think I'll try both recipes (and anymore that come my way). Last year I might have cooked the caramel too long...it was really hard to chew. Maybe it wasn't the lack of corn syrup as much as my technique. I'll report back when I do a couple of trials!