Introduction
Oh, the cozy embrace of autumn! There’s something magical about crisp air, colorful leaves, and the sweet scent of apples wafting from the kitchen. If you’re like me, you crave those comforting flavors that just scream “fall.” That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share these Apple Caramel Bombs with you today. They’re so ridiculously easy and quick to whip up, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them a million times before! Perfect for a spontaneous sweet craving or when you need a crowd-pleasing treat in a pinch, these little delights are pure happiness in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, these are incredibly speedy.
- Easy: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean even a beginner can nail these.
- Giftable: Package them up in a cute tin or bag, and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist warm, gooey caramel, tender apples, and fluffy biscuit dough? Everyone adores them!
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is part of the fun! Here’s what you’ll need for these delightful bombs:
- 1 (16.3-oz) can refrigerated biscuit dough: The secret to how easy these are! Just pop them open and go.
- 8 caramel candies: The gooey, melty heart of our bombs. Soft caramels work best here.
- 1 tablespoon butter, plus 2 tablespoons melted butter: Butter adds richness to our apple filling and gives the tops that beautiful golden sheen.
- 2 apples, finely chopped: Think of your favorite baking apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for the best texture and flavor.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: For that lovely caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The quintessential fall spice! It warms everything up.
- Pinch of salt: Just a tiny bit to balance all the sweetness.
- Caramel and crushed peanuts, for topping: The finishing touches that take these from delicious to irresistible!
How to Make It
Alright, apron on, let’s get cooking! It’s going to be a breeze.
- Preheat your oven: First things first, get that oven going. Follow the temperature directions on your biscuit dough package. We want it nice and hot to get those bombs perfectly golden.
- Whip up the apple filling: Grab a medium bowl. Toss in your finely chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and that 1 tablespoon of butter. Give it a good stir until everything is nicely combined. This filling is going to be divine!
- Prepare the biscuit dough: Carefully separate your biscuit dough. Gently flatten each biscuit round. Think of it like making a little nest for our yummy filling.
- Add the caramel and apple goodness: Place one caramel candy right in the center of each flattened biscuit. Then, spoon about 1 tablespoon of your delicious apple mixture over the caramel. Don’t overfill, or it might get tricky to seal!
- Seal them up tight: Now for the fun part! Gently fold the edges of the biscuit dough up and around the caramel and apple filling. Pinch the seams together really well. We want to make sure all that gooey goodness stays inside.
- Get them ready for baking: Place your sealed dough balls, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet. This helps them keep their shape as they bake.
- Butter them up: Brush the tops of each dough ball with the melted butter. This is going to give them a beautiful, golden-brown crust.
- Bake ’em till golden: Pop them into your preheated oven. Bake according to your biscuit dough package instructions, or until they’re puffed up and beautifully golden brown. Keep an eye on them; they usually don’t take too long!
- The grand finale: Once they’re out of the oven, still warm and fragrant, it’s time for the magic! Immediately drizzle them with some extra caramel and sprinkle with those crunchy crushed peanuts. Oh, and be careful, they’ll be hot!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling creative? These Apple Caramel Bombs are super adaptable! Here are a few ideas to make them your own:
- Apples: If you don’t have fresh apples, a cup of unsweetened applesauce can work in a pinch, though the texture will be different.
- Caramels: You can chop up a caramel candy bar if you don’t have individual caramels. Just make sure they’re soft enough to melt well.
- Spice it up: Add a dash of nutmeg or a tiny pinch of ground cloves to the apple mixture for an extra layer of fall flavor.
- Nutty twist: If peanuts aren’t your thing, chopped pecans or walnuts would be absolutely delicious as a topping.
- For the adventurous: Try adding a tablespoon of cream cheese to the apple filling for a slightly tangy, creamy surprise.
Tips for Success
Even though these are super easy, a few little pointers can ensure you get perfect Apple Caramel Bombs every time!
- Don’t overwork the dough: When flattening the biscuits, be gentle. Overworking can make them tough.
- Seal securely: Make sure to pinch those seams really well! A good seal prevents the caramel from leaking out during baking.
- Watch the oven: Biscuit dough cooks quickly. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Ovens can vary, so use your judgment.
- Prep ahead! You can prepare the apple filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the bombs and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking, but you might need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
How to Store It
These are definitely best enjoyed fresh and warm, but if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), here’s how to keep them delicious:
- Once cooled completely, store any leftover Apple Caramel Bombs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at a low temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. Microwaving works too, but they can get a bit chewy.
FAQs
Can I make the apple filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the apple mixture up to a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before using.
What kind of apples should I use?
It’s best to use baking apples that hold their shape well, like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith. They offer a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.
Can I freeze these?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled, unbaked Apple Caramel Bombs. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Apple Caramel Bombs
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Medium bowl
- Oven
- Toaster oven optional for reheating
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 16.3-oz can refrigerated biscuit dough Just pop them open and go.
- 8 caramel candies Soft caramels work best here.
- 1 tablespoon butter for the apple filling
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing tops
- 2 apples finely chopped. Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji recommended.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- caramel for topping
- crushed peanuts for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven according to your biscuit dough package directions.
- In a medium bowl, combine finely chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir until well combined.
- Separate the biscuit dough. Gently flatten each biscuit round.
- Place one caramel candy in the center of each flattened biscuit. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the apple mixture over the caramel.
- Fold the edges of the biscuit dough up and around the filling, pinching the seams tightly to seal.
- Place the sealed dough balls, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of each dough ball with melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven according to biscuit dough package instructions, or until puffed up and golden brown.
- While still warm, drizzle with extra caramel and sprinkle with crushed peanuts.