This Easy Homemade Caramel Apple Fondue is the perfect solution for anyone who loves caramel apples but hates the mess and hassle of eating them. This warm caramel dip takes just 15 minutes to make with simple ingredients, and it's so much easier than traditional caramel apples -especially for kids.
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A Quick Look At This Recipe
- 📋 Recipe: Easy Homemade Caramel Apple Fondue
- ⏲️ Ready In: 15 minutes
- 👪 Servings: 2¼ cups (serves 8-10)
- 🔪 Difficulty: Easy
- 💭 Top Tip: Choose all your favorite toppings like chocolate, nuts, coconut and sprinkles to take this fondue to the next level!
Why You'll Love This Caramel Apple Fondue
- No candy thermometer needed - Simple double boiler method means foolproof caramel every time.
- Ready in 15 minutes - Quick enough for weeknight treats, impressive enough for parties.
- Won't burn or crystallize - Condensed milk creates stable, smooth caramel with no fussing.
- So much easier than traditional caramel apples - Perfect for kids and way less messy.
- Everyone customizes their own - Endless topping combinations keep it fun and interactive.
Traditional caramel apples can be tricky to make and even trickier to eat. The caramel slides off, it gets stuck in your teeth, and little hands struggle to manage the big sticky apples.
This fondue version gives you all the delicious caramel apple flavor without any of the frustration. You get to dip apple slices in warm, rich caramel and then roll them in your favorite toppings. Every bite is a new combination, and everyone gets exactly what they want.
The best part? This recipe uses a simple double boiler method with condensed milk, brown sugar, and maple syrup. There's no candy thermometer needed, and you don't have to worry about burning the caramel.
It's perfect for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or Thanksgiving dessert tables. We served it at our fall fondue party here. You might also enjoy our Mini Apple Crisp in a Jar, Christmas Fondue Party, or our Pumpkin Blondie Recipe.
My husband and kids are huge caramel apple fans, but I always found traditional caramel apples frustrating to make and messy to eat. This fondue version gives us all the flavor we love in a format that's actually enjoyable for everyone. It's become one of those recipes that gets requested at every fall gathering. As my kids have gotten older they're become more adventurous with their toppings. Salted caramel is everyone's new favorite. It's great for kids and adults.
Ingredients
- Sweetened condensed milk is what makes this recipe foolproof. Unlike heavy cream, it's already sweetened and thickened, which prevents crystallization and creates stable, smooth caramel every time. Don't substitute with evaporated milk, they're completely different products.
- Real maple syrup adds incredible depth and warmth that pancake syrup can't match.
- Brown sugar brings more than sweetness, the molasses content adds moisture and rich, complex flavor.
- Fresh apples - Granny Smith are my top choice because their tartness balances the sweet caramel beautifully. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Fuji also work great. Any crisp, fresh apple variety will be delicious. To prevent your apples from browning, cut apples just before serving when possible. If prepping ahead, dip slices in lemon juice or soak in lemon-lime soda for 30 minutes, then pat completely dry with paper towels before serving so the caramel fondue will stick to each slice.
- Toppings of your choice - See topping ideas below.
Topping Ideas
One of the great pleasures of creating a caramel apple fondue is including different toppings to sprinkle on after dipping. This gives you endless taste variations and turns a simple dessert into an interactive experience. Every apple slice becomes a new adventure.
- Shredded Coconut: Adds tropical sweetness and great texture.
- Chocolate Sprinkles: Classic choice that never disappoints.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: Makes everything more festive and fun for kids.
- Chopped Walnuts or Pecans: The nutty crunch is perfect with caramel.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: These stick to the caramel beautifully.
- Chopped M&M's: Colorful and crunchy with a candy shell.
- Popping Candy: This is so fun for kids and adds an unexpected element.
- Crushed Graham Crackers: Creates a cheesecake-like flavor combination.
- Toffee Bits: Adds extra caramel crunch.
- Crushed Pretzels: The salty-sweet combination is incredible.
- Mini Marshmallows: Creates a s'mores-inspired combination.
- Crushed Cookies: Oreos, vanilla wafers, or gingersnaps all work great.
Dippers:
We love this caramel fondue served with apples, but you can also serve it like a traditional chocolate fondue with bite-sized pieces of various dippers. For a special party, serve both caramel fondue and chocolate fondue so guests can enjoy both together.
Other great dippers include:
- Angel Food Cake or pound cake cubes.
- Pretzels: The salty-sweet combination is incredible.
- Nuts: Whole almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
- Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, pineapple chunks, banana slices are all great addtions to the apple slices.
- Marshmallows: Regular or jumbo size.
- Rice Krispies Treats: Cut into bite-sized squares.
- Belgium Waffles: Cut into strips or squares.
- Graham Crackers: Broken into dippable pieces.
- Cookies: Shortbread, vanilla wafers, or gingersnaps.
Variations
Salted Caramel Fondue
If you're a fan of salted caramel (and who isn't?), add some flaky sea salt over the top of the finished caramel sauce. Just sprinkle the finished fondue with about ½ teaspoon of flaky sea salt like Maldon or fleur de sel.
This caramel has a very rich flavor, and the salt is a great way to cut through the sweetness and create that popular salty-sweet taste combination. Don't use regular table salt. The large flakes of sea salt give you little bursts of saltiness that work much better than fine salt distributed throughout.
Other Flavor Additions
While this caramel is delicious as written, you can customize it:
- Bourbon or Rum: Add 1 tablespoon for an adult version.
- Espresso Powder: Add ½ teaspoon for a subtle coffee flavor that enhances the caramel.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Use 1 teaspoon instead of plain cinnamon for a more fall-spiced version.
- Nutmeg: Add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg along with the cinnamon.
Equipment -Fondue Pot
Serve your fondue in a warm fondue pot. I highly recommend a fondue pot that has a ceramic bowl, inside the metal pot, where you can add water and create a double boiler to keep your fondue warm, without letting it burn on the bottom. You can also use a regular fondue pot, just keep your eye on it and stir it occasionally. Another option is a mini crock pot or slow cooker, or an electric heated fondue pot that you can control the temperature of, and keep it on low so it doesn't burn.
How To Make Caramel Apple Fondue
1. Step 1: Put the butter in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a small saucepan filled with about 1-2 inches of simmering water. This creates a double boiler that heats the caramel gently and prevents burning.
2. Step 2: After the butter has melted completely, then add the brown sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, water, condensed milk, and cinnamon. Stir the mixture constantly and cook until completely smooth with all sugar dissolved. You'll know it's ready when the mixture is uniform in color with no grains of sugar.
3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: Pour the warm caramel into your fondue pot to keep warm. Serve with apple slices cut into wedges for easy dipping, along with your choice of toppings.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup for the best depth of flavor.
- Pack brown sugar firmly into the measuring cup for accurate measurements.
- Stir constantly while cooking to ensure even heating and complete sugar dissolution.
- Pat apples completely dry after treating for browning - any moisture makes caramel slide off.
- If caramel gets too thick, stir in a tablespoon of condensed milk or cream to thin it.
Serving Ideas
Use small bowls or mason jars to hold each topping. This makes it easy for guests to sprinkle their choices over their dipped apples. For larger parties, consider using a muffin tin lined with cupcake liners - each cup holds a different topping, and it creates a fun, organized display.
Slow Cooker: A mini slow cooker set on warm is perfect for keeping the fondue at serving temperature for parties. You can also use a traditional fondue pot with a tea light, or an electric fondue pot on the lowest setting. For young children at parties, consider pouring individual portions into small bowls to prevent double-dipping.
Individual Fondue: Especially if you're entertaining children, giving everyone their own small individual bowl of fondue can help prevent the dreaded double dip. Add a small ladle to your fondue and let everyone help themselves to a small bowl. Mini mason jars work great for this, or use small bowls, or even cups or mugs. Serve these on a small plate so everyone can add apple slices and fun topping to their own plate.
Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover caramel fondue in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The caramel will harden when cold, which is normal.
Reheating
Microwave method: Transfer cold caramel to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and warm. If it's too thick after reheating, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk or cream.
Stovetop method: Reheat gently in a double boiler setup, stirring frequently until warm and smooth. This is the gentlest method and best preserves the texture.
Slow cooker method: Place cold caramel in your slow cooker on low and let it warm slowly, stirring occasionally. This takes about 30 minutes but is very forgiving.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Yes, you can make this caramel fondue ahead of time. Prepare the fondue as directed, let it cool completely, then store it in the refrigerator. On the day you want to serve it, reheat using one of the methods above and transfer to your fondue pot.
For parties, you can make the caramel up to 3 days ahead. Just reheat it before adding it to the fondue pot. I recommend reheating on the stovetop or in a double boiler before transferring to your serving vessel, rather than trying to reheat it in the fondue pot itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but watch it carefully. You can make this directly in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. The risk is burning, which happens quickly with caramel. The double boiler method is more forgiving and foolproof, which is why I recommend it.
Graininess happens when sugar crystallizes. This usually means either the sugar didn't dissolve completely during cooking, or sugar crystals from the sides of the bowl fell back into the mixture. Make sure you cook the caramel long enough, stirring constantly, until completely smooth. You can also brush down any crystals that form on the bowl sides with a wet pastry brush.
No, these are very different products. Condensed milk is sweetened and has a much thicker consistency. Evaporated milk is simply milk with some water removed and it's not sweetened. Using evaporated milk won't give you the same stable, sweet caramel. Stick with sweetened condensed milk for this recipe.
Stir in a tablespoon of condensed milk, heavy cream, or whole milk until you reach the desired consistency. Do this while the caramel is warm. If needed, you can return it to the double boiler to help thin it out while stirring.
Yes! This recipe doubles easily. You may need to cook it a few minutes longer to ensure all the sugar dissolves completely in the larger quantity. Use a bigger bowl or pot for your double boiler setup.
More Recipe Inspiration
If you try this Easy Homemade Caramel Apple Fondue or any other recipe on my blog please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Recipe
Caramel Apple Fondue
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¾ cup condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Put the butter in a heatproof bowl, set over a small saucepan of simmering water to create a double boiler and melt it.
- Add in the brown sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, water, condensed milk, and cinnamon. Stir the sugar mixture and cook until the fondue is smooth, and all the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Remove the fondue from the heat and add the vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Pour into fondue pot, and enjoy with your choice of dippers.
Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist says
This sweet fondue is the perfect accompaniment to apples or other sweet dippers. It's such a favourite.
Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist says
Hi Lynn, yes you can make this ahead of time and reheat it to serve. I would reheat it before adding it to the fondue pot, so it just has to keep it warm. Hope this helps.
Dannyelle
Lynn says
Can this be made ahead and then placed in the fondue pot when ready to serve?