Caramel Apple Pops

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place a Silpat on a baking sheet. Place three Jolly Ranchers in a group on your Silpat. (See pictures on my blog for placement). Only place 4 clusters of Jolly Ranchers on a sheet at a time, so there is enough space to place the stick in when they come out. Cook them in the preheated oven for 4 1/2 minutes. Watch them carefully because at between 4 and 5 minutes they will become completely melted and flatten out on the sheet. Depending on your oven they make take longer so it’s a good idea to test one alone on a sheet before you do a bunch.

2. The Jolly Ranchers will start to bubble up on the edges when they flatten out. As soon as this happens, pull your baking sheet out of the oven and place your candy stick at the bottom of the melted Jolly Ranchers. I twisted my stick so it coated it and was more secure to the Jolly Rancher. You have to do this immediately though. Leave the baking sheet on the counter. The sucker should harden in about 5 minutes. Then remove them from the sheet and place on another Silpat-lined tray. Repeat with the remaining Jolly Ranchers if desired.

3. In a medium sized bowl, combine the caramels with the water. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until caramel is completely melted. Let the melted caramel cool for 60 seconds then dip your suckers into the caramel. Tip: You need to do this fast and put the caramel-dipped suckers back onto the Silpat immediately or else the warmth of the caramel will melt the sucker and make it bend in half.

4. Let everything cool in the fridge for 1 hour and you’re good to go!