I think I must have had a deprived childhood, because to me, “caramel apples” are a distinct beast from “chocolate-covered apples” or “caramel-chocolate-apples” and are made with, like, little caramel squares that have to be unwrapped one by one and then heated on the stove. I remember making them once in 7th grade and it being so messy that it was a banned dish in my house for years!

If you order the “gourmet” sort, they tend to be encrusted with so much chocolate that they’re difficult to eat. If you buy plain caramel or caramel/nut apples at the supermarket, the apples are often rotting in the center. So making them yourself is probably the best way.

I definitely like the little ghost sprinkles!