Sweet Shoppe Caramel Apples

Ingredients

• 6 large McIntosh apples
• 6 Popsicle sticks
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups Half-and-Half
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cubed
• 1 1/4 cups English toffee bits or almond brickle chips
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup vanilla or white chips

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and grease the paper; set aside.
2. Wash and thoroughly dry apples. Insert a Popsicle stick into each; place on prepared pan. Chill.
3. In a heavy 3 quart saucepan, combine sugar, Half-and-Half, corn syrup and butter; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook and stir constantly until a candy thermometer reads 245 degrees F, about 1 hour.
4. Remove from heat. Working quickly, dip each apple into hot caramel mixture to coat completely, then dip the bottom into toffee bits.
5. Return to baking sheet; chill.
6. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips at 50% power for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted; stir until smooth.
7. Transfer to a small heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Drizzle over apples.
8. Repeat with vanilla chips.
9. Chill until set.
10. Remove from the refrigerator 5 minutes before serving.