Vegan Caramel Apple Recipe

How to Make Dairy-Free Condensed Milk, Caramel Sauce & Candy Apples

© Jill Harris

Oct 28, 2007

Caramel is a simple sauce of sugar boiled down to a syrup. But recently it has evolved from a sauce to a confection used to flavour and colour baked goods, candy and desserts. It also stands alone as topper for ice cream, cakes, and puddings.

Caramel is not Vegan

Caramel candies are perhaps now the most common kind of caramel. Individually wrapped, these candies often contain hydrogenated oils and gaggle of dairy ingredients: milk, cream, and whey, at least. Vegan pre-made caramels are as elusive as vegan marshmallows.

To make caramel apples, most recipes call for the ease of melting pre-wrapped caramels with a little bit of water. Rolling apples in the resulting goo takes only minutes, and voilà – caramel apples.

Making Vegan Caramel

To stifle a longing for vegan caramel, make the sauce from scratch.

Confectionary recipes usually call for a candy thermometer and the use of some well-honed candy-making skills. To keep things simple though, this Vegan Caramel Apple recipe doesn't require either of those things. It's a-ok for beginners too!

Delicious as vegan caramel apples are, they do taste slightly different from the dairy-containing version. Expect a sweet, auburn-hued sauce, thinner and less rich than caramel made with butter and whipped cream.

Getting Kids Involved

Kids can help decorate the finished apples; just make sure the caramel has cooled enough to touch young hands.

Vegan Caramel Apple Recipe

Ingredients:

• 10 medium organic apples, red or green; preferably a more tart variety like Granny Smith
• 1 recipe vegan caramel sauce (follows)
• 10 wooden sticks (Popsicle sticks)
• Cookie crumbs, chopped nuts, or melted vegan chocolate (optional)
• Waxed paper or a cookie sheet, greased with a touch of margarine

Directions:

1. Insert a wooden stick into the top of each apple
2. If caramel has cooled / hardened, heat over low-medium heat until just melted but still thick.
3. Working with one apple at a time, dip each apple into the caramel, turning to coat.
4. Roll each apple in cookie crumbs, chopped nuts, or drizzle with melted chocolate if desired.
5. Place the apple onto the wax paper or cookie sheet to cool and set.

Vegan Caramel Sauce Recipe

If a thinner, saucier caramel is desired, reduce the condensed milk to ¼ cup or omit altogether.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. vegan stick margarine
• 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup vegan sweetened condensed milk (purchased or homemade. For recipe, see below)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt margarine.
2. Stir in sugar and corn syrup.
3. Bring to the boil and stir in condensed milk, if using.
4. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until boiled and thickened.

Vegan Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups soy milk
• 1 ¾ cups brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch

Directions:

1. Measure the corn starch into a small glass or measuring cup.
2. Add 2-3 tbsp. of the soy milk and whisk with a small whisk or fork until smooth.
3. In a small saucepan, heat the remaining soy milk and brown sugar. Whisk in the cornstarch-soymilk mixture.
4. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly until thick.

Oozy Vegan Caramel

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