I have a particular fondness for the sweets that are specific to fall and winter. Caramel apples are classic, and this little kit is a fun way to give them new life. You can bring the kits to a get-together, give them out at your own parties, or take them along on a cool weather picnic. You could also set up a Caramel Apple Bar and have all the ingredients arranged in dishes for guests to make their own. These kits are best when paired with a petite vintage butter or cheese knife to cut the apple into slices and slather caramel on each slice. You can find handsome old knives at thrift stores, or on Etsy or Ebay.
Materials:
6″x3″x3″ gable box with window
raffia or paper shreds
3 two-ounce plastic food containers and lids per kit
small butter knife
gift tags
decorative yarn or twine
pen
1 apple per kit
caramel sauce (or use wrapped caramels to make it even simpler)
choose at least two of the following: chopped pistachios, pecans, walnuts, almonds, coconut flakes, chooped crystallized ginger, sesame seeds
Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter
Steps:
1. Heat the caramel sauce just a little bit so that it softens and is easier to pour into the plastic containers. (Be careful not to heat it too much or to cool it too fast, as that can cause the caramel to harden.)
2. Fill a two-ounce plastic container about 3/4 full with the caramel sauce.
3. Fill the other two-ounce containers halfway with whatever toppings you have chosen: nuts, coconut flakes, crystallized ginger, etc.
4. Place a small handful of paper shreds in one side of the box. Nestle the apple in the paper so it doesn’t get jostled.
5. Stack your three containers, with the caramel on the bottom, snugly into the opposite side of the box.
6. Tuck the packet of hazelnut chocolate butter and the knife into the container.
7. Seal.
8. Label the inside of the gift tag with every ingredient that you’ve chosen to include. Like this: Contains: 1. Apple; 2. Caramel sauce; 3. pecans; 4. candied ginger; 5. chocolate hazelnut butter; 6. enjoy! Also provide instructions for how to use the kit: Slice the apple using the knife provided; spread a little caramel or hazelnut chocolate butter on the apple slice; dip the apple slice into any or all of the toppings; enjoy!
9. Cut a 12-inch length of yarn or twine and affix the gift tag to the sealed box.
Note: Caramel in jars often needs to be refrigerated after opening. If you are preparing the kits in advance, store the caramel containers in the fridge until ready to use.
Do you have ideas for other creative toppings that would be perfect in these kits?
Erin
October 13, 2011
Looks amazing! These would make great party favors for my next shindig.
Hannah
October 13, 2011
this makes me want to have people over, just for caramel apples : )
Haydee
October 13, 2011
That is really adorable!
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
October 13, 2011
That looks amazing!
Does anyone know where I can get hold of the almond butter sachets online? My friend brought me some back from the States last autumn and I just can’t find them in the UK at all. Same with pumpkin butter!
I love American style desserts and sweets 🙂
ashley
October 13, 2011
Just bookmarked this post for this weekend! LOVE!
{Fall Jewelry Giveaway @ a {little} dash of ash}
Eliza
October 13, 2011
These look fantastic Kimberley! Need to archive this ready for when I have kids…
http://buenodia.com/
meesch
October 13, 2011
this is amazing! Such a great idea, I’m rather inspired to have a caramel apple party now!
-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com
Sarah
October 13, 2011
Brilliant!!! You had me at caramel.
Damaris
October 13, 2011
What a great idea. I’ve done something similar before but with peanut butter and granola and of couse some sprinkles, just because it was a present for kids 🙂
Kasey
October 13, 2011
This is AWESOME! What a treat to see you posting on one of my favorite lifestyle blogs! xo
Kimberley
October 13, 2011
Hannah – it looks like you can order the almond butter packets online from their site: http://www.justinsnutbutter.com/index.php. Hope that works!
Tasha
October 13, 2011
What a fun take on this! And way more interesting than the classic!
SG
October 13, 2011
looks like the perfect party activity and so tasty too!
Rebecca
October 13, 2011
This is SO wonderful. And what great photos…!
Meg
October 13, 2011
GREAT idea!!! Im gonna make these for our halloween party!!!
Maria @ Busy as a Bee in Paris
October 13, 2011
yum!
Brandy
October 13, 2011
Seriously I just want to know how many apples you dug through to find one with a perfect tiny leaf 😉
Cari
October 13, 2011
LOVE this. So fun.
Kacie
October 13, 2011
I love this. Completely love it. It looks delicious and sweet and a perfect party addition!
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.com/
Houseofearnest
October 13, 2011
This is wonderful… I have a firm belief that caramel apples are a good representation of most major food groups and should be regarded as a legit meal.
Chloé Fleury
October 13, 2011
Ca a l’air divin! Il faut que je teste ca rapidement 🙂
Erica
October 13, 2011
This is such a cute idea! And I love the idea of spreading the caramel onto individual slices instead of just dipping the whole apple. So much easier to eat (and easier to get more of the topping choices).
Waimihi
October 14, 2011
Oh this is sooo cool and we have two birthday parties coming up on different sides of the family so I’m going to rock this trick out and see how it goes with the kiddy-winks! We only get toffee apples in NZ which can be hard on the teeth and this will get the kids eating way more apple… it’ll be a caramel massacre!
Rochelle
October 14, 2011
Looks too delicious. Excuse me while I drool over my computer. I look forward to more posts. 🙂 Rochelle.
Sarah @http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
October 14, 2011
Wow I love love LOVE this!!! I mean this is so genius. So perfect for a Fall party. I swear I can’t believe how creative some people get. So simple too.
– Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
Garnish
October 14, 2011
Now who wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of this little gift?! Just goes to show it doesn’t take much, just a little creativity, and simple + lovely packaging.
Garnish + Enjoy,
– Suzanne
http://www.thinkgarnish.com
Hodan
October 15, 2011
so simple, yet yummy.
Amadna
October 16, 2011
Such a cool idea! I can’t wait to try this with the kiddos! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa
October 18, 2011
Such a great idea! Do you have any DIY ideas for a care package (i.e. something mailable)?
Mona
October 20, 2011
I am going to simplify this idea a little and hand out to coworkers at Oct bday luncheon. Awesome thanks.