Peanut Butter–Chocolate Caramel Apples with Honey Peanuts

The name says it all: a sweet, salty, gooey, crunchy apple that’s sure to have many fans.

What to buy: A reliable candy/fat thermometer is crucial for getting an accurate read on the caramel. We like this thermometer from CDN.

Braeburn apples, with their crunchy texture and spicy-sweet flavor, work nicely with this particular caramel apple combination. But feel free to substitute any locally grown apple with the same characteristics. Use our simple recipe for the peanut butter chocolate ganache.

Craft sticks give these apples an authentic state-fair feel. Look for them next to the apples in the produce section of the grocery store, or order them online. If you can’t find them, chopsticks will work in a pinch.

Game plan: The apples can be made and stored in the refrigerator up to 1 day ahead.

You’ll have a bit of caramel left after dipping the apples, so try making some soft caramels with the excess. Pour the remaining caramel into a parchment-lined, 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan and, if desired, sprinkle with sea salt. Let sit at room temperature until set. Remove the caramel from the pan and cut it into 1-inch pieces.

This recipe was featured as part of our Tricked-Out Caramel Apples project.

For the apples:

• 8 large Braeburn apples, at room temperature
• Peanut Butter–Chocolate Ganache, at room temperature
• 8 chopsticks or craft sticks

For the coating:

• 2 cups honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

For the apples:

1. 1Wash the apples under hot water to remove any wax coating, then dry them thoroughly. Starting on the bottom, core the apples with the smaller scoop of a melon baller; reserve the bottom “plugs” of the apples. Continue coring up to the top inch of the apples (you just want all the seeds removed). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. 2Stuff the apples with about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the ganache, then close with the reserved apple plugs to seal. Push the sticks through the stem ends of the apples and set the apples on the baking sheet.

For the coating:

1. 1Place the peanuts in a shallow dish; set aside. Prepare an ice water bath by filling a bowl halfway with ice and water.
2. 2Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the mixture registers 250°F on a candy thermometer, about 10 to 15 minutes. Immediately dip the bottom of the saucepan in the ice water bath and let it chill until the bubbles have subsided, about 1 minute. Stir until the stiff caramel from the bottom is incorporated into the warm caramel on top. Remove from the water bath.
3. 3Dip the stuffed apples 1 at a time into the caramel, rotating once to coat 3/4 of the way up the sides. Lift each apple straight up from the caramel, letting the excess drip back into the pot until the drips have slowed, about 10 to 15 seconds.
4. 4Roll the apple in the peanuts and hold it upright for 10 to 15 seconds. Place it on the prepared baking sheet upside down (with the stick vertical in the air) and repeat with the remaining apples. (If the caramel gets too hard to coat the apples easily, set the pan over low heat and rewarm it, stirring constantly, until the caramel is loose and pourable again.)
5. 5Refrigerate the apples until set, at least 10 minutes. These caramel apples can be made and stored in the refrigerator up to 1 day in advance.

SOURCE: https://www.chowhound.com/recipes/peanut-butterchocolate-caramel-apples-with-honey-peanuts-12220