Every now and then, I feel like sharing with you something that will forever change your life.

Because life is lovely right now, I feel as if I must share this Chocolate Caramel Apple treat with ya.

It will Change. Your. Life.

Forever.

Like every great recipe in my repertoire, this one comes from my mama.

I’ve been making them for years, and I always make some to share with my co-workers.

It may be the only reason I still have a job.

OK, OK. It likely is the only reason I still have a job.

So, here is what you’ll need:

I highly recommend green apples. I like the sharp tart contrast to the extreme sweetness that the candy coating provides.

However, I’m not the boss of you.

Wouldn’t life be lovely if I was though?

Yes, I think it would be.

Thankfully for you, I am not. So, you can use whatever apples you like.

You’ll also need caramels, nuts (I used peanuts, but again… use whatever you want-pecans or walnuts or almonds would be lovely), semi-sweet chocolate, and some candy coating.

For my candy coating, I’ll be using a mixture of toffee chips and Snickers.

So, yeah.

If you have any imagination at all, you know that this recipe has serious potential for containing life changing powers.

I’d like to warn you before you start, this recipe is a bit time intensive.

But you will not regret it.

And your friends will worship you.

And your family will never ask for anything else from you ever again.

For when you serve them these apples, they will know your purpose on this earth.

Making delicious delectable bites.

OK, I may be exaggerating.

But, not by much.

Unwrap your caramels.

If you have children, you should make them do this part as penance for eventually eating said apples.

Admire your massive pile of wrappers.

I used two bags of caramels for 24 apples.

I inadvertently purchased the bags from the candy aisle. During the fall, it is imperative that you purchase the caramels from the seasonal aisle or near the apples. Those bags of caramels have the sticks included in them.

I opened my caramels, realized I had no sticks to put into my apples, and then decided these apples would probably taste best without the sticks.

For each bag of caramels, add 2 tablespoons of water.

2 bags x 2 T. per bag= 4 T. of water

No, believe it or not… I was not a math major.

Put those caramels on the stove over medium low heat.

In the meantime, take your peanuts and  put them into a food processor.

Now, grind ’em up.

With your freakishly shaped hand.

That button looks a lot harder to push in this photo than it is in real life.

It is quite simple actually.

At this point, you should probably start stirring your caramel.

Until it becomes smooth.

Ideally, you would now use your sticks to help you maneuver your apples through the caramel coating stage.

Unless you are a ding-a-ling like me, and forgot those darn sticks.

I took a walk on the wild side and just used my hands.

When it got a little dicey, I used a spoon and some tongs to help me out.

However, sticks in the actual apple is the best method.

And into your chopped nuts for a nutty bath.

I highly recommend using parchment paper on your pan. It makes this whole process bearable.

And when your significant other has to clean up all of your mess, he or she will appreciate your parchment paper thoughtfulness.

If you are the cook in your household, I also highly recommend that your significant other becomes your personal dishwasher.

In our house, I do all of the cooking.

Brad has made his specialty, The Return Home (this is a mixture of chicken and eggs- get it?) once or twice. It isn’t too delicious. So, I try to stick to the making of the food.

However, I married well. And this man takes every dish, spoon, spatula, and pan I get messy and washes them all.

That, my friends, is what you call a marriage made in heaven.

I like to cook, and hate to clean.

He likes to clean, and hates to cook.

We both love to eat.

Have I said lately that I haven chosen well in the spouse department?

Or maybe he has chosen well?

Yes, I think that is it.

Anywho, I digress.

One might think that this is a perfect stopping point.

But I think there must be a way to take this up a notch.

Hmmmm… chocolate. Yes. Chocolate.

If ever in doubt, chocolate.

I don’t have a double boiler.

So, I rig one up by using a medium sized pot filled with approximately two inches of water.

Then, I put a metal bowl filled with my chocolate on top.

The indirect heat will get your chocolate to the perfect consistency.

Put the heat at medium. Once your chocolate is thoroughly melted, turn the heat down to low.

Stir the chocolate frequently as it is melting.

Once the chocolate is melted and the heat is turned down very low, we should prepare the final glorious topping.

Again, you have the opportunity to turn this apple into whatever you like by using any candy bar you like.

Go ahead! Pick your favorite.

I’m using a mixture of Snickers and Heath toffee topping.

I froze the Snickers bars prior to chopping them up so that they would grind down pretty finely.

Have I mentioned how much I love this little kitchen tool?

I’m telling ya… best $50 I have spent in a long time on a small kitchen appliance.

Add those ground candy bars (I used 12 mini bars) to your 2 bags of toffee chips (these are made by Heath and are right next to the chocolate chips in the grocery store).

Now, this is where it gets messy.

Unless you are making a proper caramel apple with a stick in it. Then it isn’t so bad.

I donned my famous kitchen glove for this step.

Slather that apple all the way around with chocolate.

The chocolate is a little too thick to just dip the apple into it.

So, I prefer the spatula method of application.

Then, sweet sassy molassey… dip it in the candy.

Mama Mia.

Oy vey.

Holy Mother.

Oh Dear Gussie.

Pop them on a pan and then throw them in the fridge for the chocolate to set for 10-15 minutes.

For the apples that I’m delivering to friends and coworkers, I use a little plastic cling wrap tied with a bow.

Cute, right?

You know that I could not wrap all of these bad boys up without helping myself to one first.

These apples, whether on a stick or not, are not designed to be picked up and eaten.

You really need a sharp knife to get into this guy.

I better show you my preferred method.

Slice right down the side of one of those apples. You want a good old healthy hunk of apple and candy.

Oh dear.

Now that it’s cut, I suppose I should take a bite.

OK, twist my arm.

I will.

Dee-lish!

And healthy!

It is true.

Apples are very good for you.

And both caramel and chocolate contain dairy.

And then the nuts are a protein.

This is practically a three course healthy dinner.

You are welcome.

Enjoy my dear friends!

Oh, and for my favorite Tuesday night girls- I saved some for you.

XO,

Leah