Candy Apples

Ingredients:

• 6 Skewers- use wood kabob skewers cut in half or for a fun, rustic touch, use twigs, cleaned and sharpened with a paring knife.
• 6 Medium-sized apples
• 1/2 Cup Pecans or Walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)
• 1 Cup Maple Honey
• 3/4 Cup Heavy Cream
• 2 T. Unsalted butter
• 1 Pinch Kosher salt
• Fleur de Sel or Smoked Sea Salt (optional)

Safety Note: Hot caramel burns skin easily. Pay close attention when pouring from pan and although it’s tempting, do not dip your finger in it!

Directions:

1. Wash apples, remove stems and skewer.
2. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of a heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Be sure the thermometer isn’t touching the bottom or the side of the pan. Add honey, cream, butter, and Kosher salt.
3. Heat pan on medium-high and whisk gently until mixture melds and begins to boil.
4. While the caramel is heating prepare an ice bath in a large mixing bowl, have a small mixing bowl at the ready for dipping and prepare a flat surface with parchment paper to set the dipped apples to cool.
5. Continue to boil as candy steadily increases in temperature and darkens in color. Whisk occasionally.
6. Watch carefully as the caramel approaches 260ºF (hard ball), then pour the caramel into small bowl and place the bowl in the ice bath. *Note:* If the water gets into the caramel, the caramel will be ruined.
7. Stir the caramel gently to cool and thicken. When the caramel coats the back of the spoon, it is the right temperature to begin dipping the apples. Remove from ice bath.
8. Dip apples in the caramel, coating about two thirds of the apple.
9. Roll the caramel apples in nuts and/or sprinkle with Fleur de Sel or Smoked Sea Salt and set on parchment paper to set before enjoying.