Caramel/Candied Apples

  Ingredients: 
6 large or 8 medium-sized apples
1 package chewy caramel candies
plain wooden craft sticks
waxed paper
a baking sheet

  How-To: 
1) Unwrap the caramel candies and put into a pot over low to medium heat until they melt.
2) Wash apples and remove their stems. Push one wooden stick into the center of the apple. This works best if you push it in from the same end where you took the stem off.
3) Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
4) When caramel has melted, dip the apples into caramel and coat well.
5) Stand apples up on waxed paper
6) Put apples into the fridge to make the caramel firm up.

  Tips and Tricks: 
~ You can also melt the caramel in a microwave oven but do it carefully so you don't boil or burn it. A glass bowl is best for this or using a container made just for this purpose.

~ If you're doing this with kids, consider getting smaller apples as it's much easier for them to bite into, which leads to a bit less mess. Sort of a mini caramel or candy apple.

~ If the caramel is a bit too thick once it melts, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk to help it thin out.

~ Many stores with "bulk" goods offer caramel candies in bulk. These are often cheaper than brand-name candy.