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1950s-present - Kraft Foods employee Dan Walker and American carnival candy makers
Caramel apples followed candy apples but became their own American fall tradition. Kraft employee Dan Walker is widely credited with developing the caramel apple in the 1950s while experimenting with leftover Halloween caramels.
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Difficulty
Easy
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
10 minutes
Total time
30 minutes plus setting
Servings
8 apples
Region
United States fairs, carnivals, and Halloween tables
Era introduced
1950s-present
Introduced by
Kraft Foods employee Dan Walker and American carnival candy makers
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Caramel apples are candy apples softened into something creamy and chewy. They work best with tart, crisp apples because the caramel is sweet. The midcentury Kraft story explains why wrapped caramels became the easy home method, but state fairs, orchards, and candy shops turned caramel apples into a seasonal ritual.
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