Peanut Butter Candy Apples Recipes

PEANUT CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Wash and dry apples.
• Insert stick into stem end of each apple and set aside.
• Place peanuts in a shallow bowl or pie pan and set aside.
• In a heavy saucepan, cook caramels, peanut butter and water over low heat until melted and blended, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat (you may have to return to heat if mixture starts to set up).
• Dip and turn each apple in caramel mixture, coating most of the way up.
• Allow excess to drip into pan.
• Dip apples in peanuts and place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet or into paper cupcake liners.
• Store in a cool place or refrigerate.
• Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before serving.

PEANUT BUTTER CANDY APPLES

Steps:

• Line cookie sheet with waxed paper; spray waxed paper with cooking spray. Wash and dry apples; remove stem and blossom ends. Insert craft stick into stem end of each apple.
• In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar, water and 1/4 cup of the corn syrup. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Cook about 8 minutes, without stirring, to 300°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of very cold water separates into hard, brittle threads. (Watch carefully so mixture does not burn.) Immediately remove from heat.
• Working quickly, dip each apple in sugar mixture. Place on cookie sheet; let stand 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in top of double boiler, mix remaining 3/4 cup corn syrup, the peanut butter and shortening. Cook over simmering water about 4 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth. Dip coated apples almost completely in peanut butter mixture; roll apples in chopped peanuts, using hands to help adhere if necessary. Return to cookie sheet; refrigerate 15 minutes or until set. Store covered at room temperature.