Intro: 

There are a couple of tasty treats that signify the fall season and always take me back to my childhood in New England. There’s that first bite into a candy corn (I buy a bag at the first sign of fall….sometimes even by September 1….controversial, I know). Then, there’s the first caramel apple of the season. This recipe is an alternative to that caramel apple. Caramel-covered grapes give you that distinct, sweet caramel flavor as well as a pop of tartness. These are a one-bite treat! Get a little crazy and dip them into your choice of sprinkles, chopped nuts or chocolate pieces. The sky is the limit and there are many different color combinations of sprinkles out there, so have some fun with this recipe. Since this recipe is for the fall issue, I have covered my caramel grapes with fall/Halloween colored sprinkles along with some chopped walnuts and mini chocolate chips. Serve a platter of these at your next party. Your guests will rave about them!

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 eleven ounce bag of caramels

36 green or red seedless grapes

36 flat skewers or toothpicks*

Your choice of colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips

Wax paper

*I used round toothpicks when testing this recipe. It was a bit more challenging when twirling the grapes in the melted caramel. The flat skewers are much easier for twirling.

Instructions:

Unwrap each individual caramel and place in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Melting the caramel will certainly take a few minutes. Be careful not to burn the caramel by raising the temperature of the burner. Keep it on medium-low heat.

While the caramels are melting, remove the 36 grapes from their stems and dry them completely. Then, place a flat skewer into each grape. You want to make sure the grapes are patted dry.

Place your sprinkles, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, etc. into shallow bowls or plates. Having these items already set up will make the dipping process easier.

Once the caramels have completely melted, dip a grape into the melted caramel by holding the flat skewer. Twirl it and swirl it around until your grape is completely covered. You will want to work quickly here. Then, place the caramel-covered grape into the topping mixture of your choice. Once it is completely covered, place on a sheet of wax paper. 

Continue these steps until all of your grapes are finished.

Leave the covered grapes on the wax paper, allowing the caramel to set.