Make Your Own Chocolate Covered Apples

Most of the time, it is only on holidays - particularly on Halloween and Christmas - that we see chocolate covered apples. How can you not be tempted by these fancy treats? Those with sweet tooth will certainly not be able to resist its charm. These fancy looking apples aren't cheap too. Prices of chocolate covered apples start at $20. It's a good thing you can make your own chocolate covered apples at home. Not only will it be cheaper as you will only be needing a few ingredients, you will also be able to practice your artistic skills when designing your apples. Once you've learned how to do it, you can start giving it to your family and friends as presents during holidays.

You will be needing 4 crisp apples (preferably Granny Smith apples) each weighing 6-7 ounces, 12 ounces of soft wrapped caramel, 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon of hot water, 12 ounces of milk or semisweet chocolate (chopped), 1 1/2 teaspoon of solid vegetable shortening, 1 cup of chopped walnut, pecans or you can also use toffee chunks.

• Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Place a popsicle in the middle of each apple. If you just got it from the refrigerator, make sure to set it on a kitchen towel for 30 minutes in room temperature. Apples should not be dipped when cold. Also, lay out a sheet of wax paper big enough to hold 4 apples. Spray cooking oil on the wax paper so that the apples won't stick.
• Prepare a double boiler. Fill the bottom part with water halfway. Once it has boiled, put the unwrapped caramels in the bowl on top of the boiler. Add 1 tablespoon of warm water. Continue to stir it until it has melted. Once it has a smooth consistency, remove the bowl from the double boiler.
  
• Use a spoon to drip caramel over the apples, making sure the caramel reaches the bottom too. As you wait for the caramel to harden, you can start preparing the chocolate. If you want the caramel to harden faster, you can place it the refrigerator.
  

• Prepare a double boiler again, this time to melt the chocolate. Add 1 teaspoon of Canola oil or vegetable oil to the chopped chocolate (you can also use chocolate chips). Continue to stir until it has melted. Add oil as necessary to make the consistency of the chocolate pourable. When the chocolate mixture has become smooth, remove the bowl from the double boiler.
  
• Drizzle chocolate over the apples using the spoon. Make sure that almost all of the apple is covered. Sprinkle the chopped nuts or toffee chunks over the apples while the chocolate is still fresh. Place the apples in the refrigerator for the chocolate to harden. Consume the apples within 3 to 4 days.
• If you are thinking of giving it as a gift, wrap the apples individually in a paper wrap or cellophane paper. Make sure to wrap the apples loosely as the paper might stick to the sides of the apple. Tie it with colored ribbons to make it more attractive.

You can always make your apples fancier by adding candy colored chocolate or marshmallow. It is all up to you to design how colorful your chocolate covered apples would be.