Vegan Caramel Apples
The leaves are changing, pumpkin spice is in the air, and we are taking part in all the fall festivities. Of course that means cooking up a fall recipe or two, including fresh, homemade caramel apples! 
Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apple picking — we are making the most of the season! If you’re looking for a quick and easy snack to embrace the flavors of fall, you’ve got to try this recipe!
Picture this: you spend your Saturday picking apples with your family or friends. You may have gotten a bit carried away loading up your basket… . How could you not — these apples are the freshest of the fresh! What do you do with all those apples you bring home?
Our go-tos are AppleCrumble, Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal, Apple Cider Donuts, and Apple Pie Smoothies. However, we are always on the hunt for new, inventive ways to enjoy this seasonal delicacy. This year, we are incorporating plant forward recipes into our regular rotation, and fall sweets are no exception!
Making the Caramel
Traditional caramel is made by melting down and browning (caramelizing) white sugar, then adding in butter and heavy cream. While it may sound simple, there is a surprising amount of things that can go wrong if you don’t prepare it just right. Temperature and chemistry are extremely important in candy and caramel making. We found ourselves needing a fool-proof recipe for those times where we can’t afford to risk a clumpy, sugary mess.
This recipe is also perfect for entertaining the vegans and vegetarians in your life, as it can easily be made plant-based. Mix and match your favorite dairy-free butter alternative and plant beverage to make your caramel your own.
Simply mix the butter, sugar, and milk together and let it bubble away into sweet deliciousness. Then, stir in your desired amount of flaxseed and salt and serve it up!
Serving Suggestions
For a classic dipped caramel apples, we recommend letting the caramel cool a bit so that it can form a decadent, thick layer on the outside of the apple. If you don’t have time to fuss with coating apples, you can serve caramel on the side of sliced apples or drizzled generously on top. Sprinkle on chocolate chips, granola, sprinkles, or whatever you please!
We would love to see your take on a caramel apple — tag us @manitobamilling with your creations!
For more fall fun, check out these recipes for Candied Nuts and Cran-Orange Quick Bread!
Vegan Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter plant or dairy based
- ½ cup brown sugar dark, light (or a mix)
- 2 Tablespoons plant or dairy based milk of choice try Manitoba Milling Co. Unsweetened Flax Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Manitoba Milling Co. Smooth Whole-Milled Ground Flaxseed
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together butter, sugar, and milk until combined.
- Raise heat to medium-low and continue stirring until sugar is dissolved.
- Once sugar is dissolved, adjust heat to bring mixture to a low boil.
- Allow mixture to bubble gently for around five minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.
- Remove saucepan from heat and stir in flaxseed and salt.
- Allow caramel to cool slightly before storing in a glass, food-safe container. Caramel will thicken after cooling.
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge and warm caramel gently in a saucepan if serving warm.