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It's Faux Caramel Apple Time Again!

For me, Halloween brings to mind chili dogs, bags of candy, and caramel apples. We always had chili dogs before heading out to a church fall festival or trick or treating in the neighborhood.   It was a quick meal and one of our favorites as kids. Of course later in the evening, we ended up with a bag full of candy and one special treat made by a sweet neighbor.  She always made caramel apples for the children she knew the best.  It was better than any candy in our bags!

My first real memory of caramel apples brings me back to an excursion with my parents and little sister to Apple Valley in California.  The tree branches were heavily laden with crisp, luscious apples.  Various vendors dotted the roadside selling their baked good ranging from apple pies, breads, dried apples, caramel apples, and my favorite candy apples!  As our day ended and we drove back home, my sister and I sat in the back seat happily eating our apple treats.

Caramel apples are perfect for your fall decor.  Don't these look delicious with the puddle of caramel at the bottom of each perfectly dipped apple?  What's even better is that they are faux caramel apples!  Let's get started on this fun project.
You will need a few items for this project:
Artificial Apples-  I purchased mine at Michaels Craft Store
Dowel Rods
Mod Podge-  Be sure to buy the glossy version
1-2 Containers of Acrylic Paint-  I used Folk Art Coffee Latte and only needed one container
Sand Paper-  I buy an extra pedicure file and use it only used for craft projects. 
Philips Screw Driver
Hot Glue Gun- Not Pictured
Hammer- Not Pictured
Raffia-  Not Pictured
First things first.  Pull the stem from each apple.  Use the Phillips screw driver to bore a hole in the apples.  I had to use a hammer to help with this process.  I think my apples were filled with concrete!  I purchased a long dowel rod at Lowes and cut it into approximately 5 and 1/2 inch pieces.  Sand the end which will show with a piece of sandpaper or do like I do.  I have a pedicure file that is used only for craft projects.  It comes in quite handy!  Hot glue the dowel rod to the apple and let dry.  Now for the fun part!

Pour the Mod Podge into a container.  Make sure your apple can fit in the container.
Begin pouring one of the acrylic paint containers into the Mod Podge and stir with an extra dowel stick.  I was not quite happy with the color I selected and ended up adding a squirt of brown and a squirt of yellow to get a more "caramely" color.  I also used only one of the 2 oz paints from the project list.  Take an apple and dip it into the container, swirling around to cover the apple.  Make sure you leave enough of the apple to show at the top!
Once they dry, tie a piece of raffia on top and show them off on a pretty cake plate.  I just love my non-edible caramel apples. Notice that the color darkened as they dried.  They even have the "pooled" look of caramel at the bottom of each apple.  This was a fun and fairly quick project.  More importantly, this project brings back wonderful memories of spending time with my family.  Now to figure out how to make a faux candy apple!
Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse
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Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 21, 2013 at 8:09 PM

    I thought I could eat one!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Life at Still WoodsOctober 21, 2013 at 8:14 PM

    Just try it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 21, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    Those apples look real and delicious! That certainly brings back wonderful memories of one of our favorite excursions while we lived in Southern California. Personally I loved the apple doughnuts. Spending a full day together with our little girls and traveling to an absolutely beautiful place was so special. My, how you all have grown up so quickly but our memories are truly precious. Mom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 23, 2013 at 7:12 AM

      Thanks Mom! I forgot about the apple doughnuts! They were delicious and healthy too? We loved getting out and exploring all the places we lived during our military travels. Thanks for all the adventures!
      Love you!

      Delete
  4. Artsy VaVaOctober 22, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    I love this! Pinning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 23, 2013 at 7:05 AM

      Thank you! I hope others try this simple project. I have enjoyed looking at them sitting around and don't have to worry about "sticky fingers"!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  5. Jane@Bluebird1959October 22, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    L-o-v-e this! Wonder what could be used for nuts......suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 23, 2013 at 7:08 AM

      Hi Jane,
      Aunt Ruthie from Sugar Pie Farmhouse used a type of bird seed for the nuts. I decided to do a plain version for mine, but drop by the link to her blog (at the top of this post) and check out hers. Thanks for stopping by and come back soon!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  6. Maureen WyattOctober 23, 2013 at 12:15 AM

    Very cute and great tutorial! Pinning

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 23, 2013 at 7:09 AM

      Thanks Maureen! I love looking at them. Caramel apples say "fall" to me!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  7. SuzanNovember 16, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    These are so neat!! But am afraid that one of my kids would try to eat one!! Then be annoyed that I have such an awesome looking decoration which is not edible. Would be good to use in a shop or antique booth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsNovember 16, 2013 at 5:17 PM

      My dad thought they were real! I am curious how well they will store. I decided to wrap them in parchment paper and place them in a storage closet which is heated and cooled. I loved this project and was amazed at the people that dropped by my desk at work (had one displayed there) and thought I didn't make it!
      Blessings from Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete

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