Tips for Making Caramel Stick to Apples + Summer Inspiration

 

Have you ever experienced problems with caramel slipping off your caramel apples? The wax on your apple may be the culprit. By simply wiping each apple with a damp cloth prior to dipping, you can remove the waxy residue that rests on the apples.

An apple naturally produces a waxy film to protect itself, however, in some instances additional food-grade wax is added by suppliers to further increase an apple’s shelf life. For this reason, it could save you time and effort to request unwaxed apples from your supplier, if they do add wax to their apples.

If that doesn’t help, consider adding white compound to your caramel at a 5 to 1 ratio to help it better adhere to the apple.

If you can’t wait to test this out, check out the summer-inspired caramel apples ideas to try below! Plus, registration is now open for RCI’s Fall Regional Conference—a conference focused on all things caramel! Join RCI in the Baltimore area September 16-18, 2024 for a education, including a hands-on caramel apple demonstration, confectionery tours and more! For best rates, register by August 9! Learn more.

Patriotic Caramel Apples
Show your patriotic stripes with drizzles of red and blue over a white chocolate coated caramel apple.

 

Zesty Coconut Caramel Apples
Think tropical by adding a generous helping of toasted coconut and a little lime zest to your caramel apples.

 

Wormy Caramel Apple
Turn shoppers heads with these fun, wormy caramel apples!

S’mores Caramel Apples
Transform your caramel apples into a s’mores lover’s dream by adding layers of graham crackers, marshmallows and drizzled chocolate. 

Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Go for the Gold: Celebrate the Olympics with Medal-Worthy Ideas

The 2024 Summer Olympics start on Friday, July 26 and will run through August 11. Help your customers and friends celebrate their favorite athletes by elevating their Olympics watch party! Here’s an easy, but medal-worthy idea sure to make this year’s games unforgettable.

Photo credits: Pops by Angie/Pinterest, The BakerMama

Chocolate-Covered Cookie Medals

Here’s a quick and easy tip to transform chocolate-covered sandwich cookies into Olympic gold medals! All you need are sandwich cookies, white chocolate or confectionery coating, yellow food coloring, Fruit by the Foot (or other fruit leather) and metallic gold luster dust (optional).

Add golden yellow food coloring to white chocolate or confectionery coating before coating sandwich cookies. Before coating sets, add a “ribbon” made of Fruit by the Foot cut into thirds to the backside of the cookie. After coating is set, brush with metallic gold luster dust for an extra special touch (optional). Gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins could also be used as an alternative to dipped cookies.

Your chocolate-covered cookie “medals” may be packaged and sold individually or as a delicious party tray to serve at an Olympics watch party! Check out this post from the RCI Blog for inspiration on creating chocolate charcuterie boards. 

Photo credit: Marie's Candies/Facebook

RCI member Marie's Candies of West Liberty, Ohio has compiled various patriotic themed treats for their Team USA Olympics collection.

Photo credit: Sarris Candies/Facebook

RCI member Sarris Candies of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania is also cheering for Team USA with these chocolate medals, complete with festive ribbon.

Here’s to celebrating the 2024 Summer Olympics in sweet style! These treats will add a winning touch to any Olympic gathering.

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Light & Luscious: Try this Delightful Spin on Your Classic Truffle Recipe

Truffles are often considered the highest expression of a quality confection, celebrated for their rich flavor and velvety texture that justify a premium price. Typically made with chocolate and cream, truffles can be customized with different ingredients to enhance their taste, texture and shelf-life.

Looking for a delightful twist to your traditional truffle recipe, sure to become your next new customer favorite?

For a light and airy melt-in-your-mouth truffle center, whip a cooled truffle center in the mixer until it becomes fluffy. With the incorporation of air, the color will become noticeable lighter. The final density will be approximately 0.75 gm/Ml giving your truffles a completely different texture, while keeping the same great flavor.

Interested in mastering the art of truffle making? Join us for RCI's Truffles + More education course, happening from August 12-14, 2024 at Romolo Chocolates in Erie, Pennsylvania. By understanding the basic formulations of truffles, in addition to meltaways and nut pastes, and how to make corrections when issues arise, candy makers can create their own variations of these delicacies to keep customers coming back for more. Whether you're new to chocolate making or looking to refine your skills, this course will equip you with everything you need to know.

There’s still time to register! Register now at retailconfectioners.org/truffles.

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.