Caramel Apple Bites

Thanks to Family Fun and EHow.com for this great idea!

You will need:

• Granny Smith apples -One apple makes around 6 bites
• Cookie scoop or large melon baller
• Wooden skewers or lollipop sticks
• Caramel or melting chocolates
• Toppings* such as chopped nuts, nonpareils, sprinkles, coconut, crushed candy bars or cookies, etc
  
• Small paper candy cups

1. Melt the caramel in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. Wash off the apples.

3. Cut into the apples with the cookie scoop or melon baller, making circular scoops to create little balls of apple. The peel should serve as a flat base to rest the ball. (But I like the look of them at the top, so you can tell it is an apple) You can get about four to six balls out of one apple.

4. Pat the apples to remove any excess juices from the fleshy part of the ball.

5. Insert the wooden skewers or lollipop sticks into the center of the top of the apple ball. If you're using skewers, don't allow the tips to pierce the skin on the bottom of the apple, or the apple will slide down when it's picked up.

6. Give the apples another pat to dry off any juices that may have run out while inserting the sticks. Dip in powdered sugar, then tap off the excess.
   

7. Dip the apple balls into the caramel, twisting to make sure you cover the whole thing.
   

8. Set dipped apple on paper candy cup. Then place on a dish or tray, and place in the refrigerator for about half an hour. This will allow the caramel to set.

9. Serve immediately. If you are unable to serve the apples right away, make sure to leave them in the refrigerator until you are ready for them. Unlike on a regular caramel apple, the flesh is exposed and so the apple will spoil much faster. Serving them immediately will make sure they are still crisp

*Check out these sites for gourmet topping ideas
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Amy' s Decadent Chocolates

Miss Debbie's Specialty Apples