Caramel Apple Pops

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Updated on 11/12/21
Caramel Apple Pops

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Cool: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 24 lollipops
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
129 Calories
1g Fat
31g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 129
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 29mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 30g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 21mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

If you have fond childhood memories of the tart apple-flavored lollipop draped in a rich and creamy caramel coating, you will love how easy it is to make your own homemade caramel apple pops.

Making lollipops at home is an easy process but you will need a few key pieces of equipment, like a candy thermometer, lollipop mold, and candy sticks. It is also important to make sure everything is ready to go before you begin because candy making is a time-sensitive process.

Invest in a candy thermometer—they are not expensive and come in very handy not only for making candy, but other times you need to achieve an exact temperature in the kitchen (such as deep-frying or yogurt-making). Look for one with a clasp that will attach to the side of the saucepan and with a stopper on the bottom so the tip of the thermometer won't touch the bottom of the pan.

Next, be sure to purchase a silicone lollipop mold since the plastic molds used for chocolate can't withstand the high heat of the liquid sugar. Finally, purchase apple extract or apple oil as well as citric acid for these lollipops. That combination will result in the tart apple flavor you know and love from the original.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 2/3 cup light corn syrup

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 2 teaspoons green apple extract

  • 1 teaspoon citric acid

  • 5 drops liquid green food coloring

  • 1 cup soft caramels

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Caramel Apple Pops ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  2. Fill a large bowl with ice and top with water and set aside. Add candy sticks to slots in lollipop mold, reaching about halfway up the circle.

  3. Combine sugar, light corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Attach candy thermometer to interior of saucepan.

    Ingredients in a pot with candy thermometer

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  4. Increase heat to medium-high to bring mixture to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

  5. Boil mixture for 10 minutes until it reaches 310 F (hard-crack stage) on candy thermometer. Immediately transfer saucepan to bowl of ice water, carefully submerging sides but ensuring no water seeps in. Gently swirl pan for 10 to 15 seconds to help mixture cool, then remove saucepan from bowl of ice water.

    Boiling sugar mixture next to an ice bath

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  6. Add apple extract, citric acid, and green food coloring immediately after removing saucepan from ice bath.

    Green apple candy mixture in a pan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  7. Working quickly, pour syrup into lollipop molds. Let cool completely until fully hardened, then carefully peel lollipops from molds.

    Apple Pops setting up in the mold

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  8. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt caramels in microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time.

    Melted caramels in a bowl with a spoon

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  9. Dip hardened lollipops into melted caramel. Place on parchment paper until set.

    Caramel Apple Pops on parchment paper

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

How to Store

Store prepared caramel apple pops in an airtight container, separated by parchment or waxed paper, for a week or longer. Alternatively, you can wrap each lollipop in plastic.