LARGE CARAMEL APPLES RECIPES

Steps:

• Add the sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir a few times before the sugar begins to boil to combine the ingredients. Attach a candy thermometer to the inside of the pan and bring the syrup to a boil. Cook until the syrup begins to turn an amber color, then swirl the syrup to even out the color. Continue to cook until the syrup is a deep amber and the thermometer reads between 375 and 380 degrees F, then remove from the heat. Carefully pour in the cream and gently whisk to combine. Stir in the butter, vanilla and a pinch of salt until smooth. Keep off the heat but keep the thermometer attached to the pan.
• Pierce the apples through the stem ends about halfway through with candy apple sticks. Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.   
• When the temperature of the caramel reads around 190 degrees F, dip an apple, using the stick as a handle and swirling to coat completely. Allow excess caramel to drip off the bottom and use a spatula to help remove any large amount of caramel, as it will pool around the apple when you set it down to cool on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining apples, gently heating the caramel on the stovetop over low heat, stirring, if it gets too thick for dipping. Allow the caramel to set and cool completely before serving or wrapping apples, about 1 hour. (See Cook's Note.)

Steps:

• For the apples: Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Put the apples in a 9-by-13-inch ovenproof dish. 
• Combine the cider, caramels, cinnamon, salt and ginger in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, stirring often, until the caramels are melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the mixture over the apples and bake on the bottom oven rack, basting every 20 minutes, until the apples are very tender and glossy, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Transfer the apples to a platter; transfer the cider mixture to a medium saucepan.  
• For the streusel: Combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Using your fingers or a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form. Spread on the prepared baking sheet and bake on the top oven rack, stirring halfway through, until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then break into bite-size pieces.  
• Bring the cider mixture to a boil over high heat and cook, whisking frequently, until thickened and reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream. Transfer to a bowl set in a large bowl of ice water. Once cold, stir in the buttermilk.  
• Pour the cider cream onto a large rimmed platter and place the apples on top. Sprinkle with the streusel and dust with confectioners' sugar.