It’s that time of year when caramel becomes king! I embrace this idea whole-heartedly as I absolutely adore caramel. I grab the bulls-eyes at parades and rob the kids’ goody bags (if I’m allowed to) as well as eat the caramels before I get around to making the desserts that I bought them for. Yes, caramel and I are BFF’s.
I do concede that I might be a little over the top; but surely, everybody loves caramel in the fall, right? So last week, I put on the recipe for caramel corn, this week I’m putting on the recipe I use for caramel dip for fruit, on October 18th I’ll put on a recipe for a caramely Candy Corn Popcorn Treats for a fall blog hop I’m participating in, and by Christmas time I’ll give you my recipe for Caramel Brownies. (You really didn’t know how serious I was when I said that I adore caramel, did you?)
Now even though I really, really like caramel dip, I really, really, REALLY dislike the prices that stores charge for those little 8 ounce containers of caramel. With a family of seven people, that little tub does not go far, and it’s probably 25¢ per tablespoon. I’m just too cheap for that. So I started googling for a caramel recipe, and one of the first ones I found was this Apple Caramel Dip below. It’s super easy to make; it makes a large amount; and it uses ingredients that you already have or, at the very least, are easy to find. 
All you have to do is put the first 5 ingredients in a sauce pan, stir them over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, which is pretty quick. Then remove from it from the heat and add the vanilla. Easy-peasy!
Now let me tell you a little secret: I pour half of the caramel into a different container while it is still hot and add peanut butter to it. YUM! (I also love peanut butter!) I like the Peanut Butter Caramel Apple Dip even better than the regular caramel dip–although both are great. There is no magic amount of peanut butter. Just spoon a couple of tablespoons in, stir it until the peanut butter is melted, and taste it. If you want more, put more in!
This recipe makes a lot of caramel–I have never measured the amount, but I would say probably around 4 cups. You can use it also as an ice cream topping or on top of other desserts. With caramel, the options are endless. And if you need a sugar-fix in the afternoon, a tablespoon of caramel by itself fits the bill. (Of course I would never have done anything like that. 😉 )
I dare you –make the recipe below, and you won’t be buying the store caramel apple dip anymore! It does not taste just like the store’s dip; but we love this dip just as much if not more than the store’s caramel dip.
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups dark brown sugar It does make a difference if you use light brown sugar. It is more of a butterscotch flavor.
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
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Cook the butter, sugar, corn syrup, water, and sweetened condensed milk over medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved, stirring continually. After the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and add vanilla.
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If desired, stir peanut butter to taste in part of the caramel.
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This can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. Rewarm before use in the microwave or on the stove top.
Adelien says
October 1, 2013 at 8:16 amI will definitely try this one as I am also a fan of caramel food. Thank you for sharing
Creative K Kids says
October 1, 2013 at 3:48 pmYou’re welcome! I’m glad someone else gets me!
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
October 1, 2013 at 10:16 amthat sounds great, thanks for sharing. My kids love caramel apple dip. My boys prefer Nutella to peanut butter but I bet adding Nutella would be fantastic too! Pinning this!
Creative K Kids says
October 1, 2013 at 3:46 pmThanks for pinning! I’m not a huge nutella fan, but for those who are, I’m sure it would work great!
Crystal says
October 1, 2013 at 11:38 amI love caramel! I have pinned this for a warm winter’s treat 🙂 Thanks for sharing it!
Creative K Kids says
October 1, 2013 at 3:45 pmYou’re welocome–and thanks for pinning. It’s great for winter . . . and summer . . . and fall, well, you get my drift!
Stephanie @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
October 1, 2013 at 11:49 amOh geezy wheezy you post the best recipes! My hubby, no kidding, ate HALF a small jar of that cucumber relish last night. Guess those two little jars won’t last long. He wants me to make it again but it’s about to freeze out so I’m out of luck with cukes until next summer. Anyway, next on my list is the caramel corn but since I’ll have leftover corn syrup from that, I guess I’ll make this next. I know my two boys will love it. Totally pinning! Also I like butterscotch so I may try it with light brown sugar and might toss in just a smidge of almond extract too 🙂
Creative K Kids says
October 1, 2013 at 3:43 pmThanks–although most of the thanks should go to my mom! I’m glad your husband liked it. The caramel popcorn is a must! This dip is easy to whip up any time, and i think it sounds yummy with the almond!
Missy Homemaker says
October 1, 2013 at 12:07 pmOh yum!! I so love caramel dip for apples. We will be making this for sure!
Creative K Kids says
October 1, 2013 at 3:41 pmWonderful! Let me know how you like it!
Jill at Calledtobeamom.com says
October 1, 2013 at 12:57 pmThis looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try!
Creative K Kids says
October 1, 2013 at 3:39 pmTry It! It’s so easy, and yes, it’s delicious!
Lisa says
October 7, 2013 at 9:31 pmThis looks amazing! Thanks so much for linking up with “Try a New Recipe Tuesday.” I hope you will be able to join us again this week. http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2013/10/try-new-recipe-tuesday-october-8.html
Creative K Kids says
October 8, 2013 at 1:15 amYou’re welcome.