Caramel Apple Monsters

ingredients

• 1 14-ounce bag individually wrapped caramel candies (about 50)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 4 to 6 medium apples (see guide, page 123)

Instructions

1.  Place the unwrapped caramels in a shallow microwave-safe bowl  
   
   
   Mix in the milk and microwave on high for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute (the caramels will keep their shape as they soften, so be sure to stir them).
   
   
   When the caramels are melted, remove the dish from the microwave with pot holders and stir the sauce until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.
   
   
   To thoroughly coat an apple, roll it in the caramel sauce, then hold it upright so the sauce slides down the sides.
   
   
   Generously butter a baking sheet. Twist off the apple stems and spear each fruit with a craft stick.
   
   
   Roll one apple in the caramel sauce until it's thoroughly coated. Place it, stick pointing up, on the baking sheet.
   
   
   Working quickly, coat the remaining apples in the caramel sauce. The caramel coating will be gooey, so refrigerate the apple for 15 minutes or until the caramel is slightly hardened.
   
   
   Holding the apple by the stick, use candy to turn it into a monster.
   
   
   Refrigerate again until the caramel is hardened and the candy is set. Makes 4 to 6