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It's Faux Caramel Apple Time!

For me, October 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 a 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 one end of the dowel rod with sandpaper to give it a smoother appearance.  I have a craft room pedicure file I use for sanding small items.  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. Debby RayOctober 6, 2016 at 9:17 AM

    Wow...those most definitely look good enough to eat! What a cute fall decoration! Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 6, 2016 at 2:17 PM

      Debby,
      The funny thing is my dad asked for one for dessert! He kept eye-balling them and finally asked if he could have one. They are that realistic. They also store very well in a cool place. I wouldn't put them in the attic. Thanks for stopping by!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  2. My thrift store addictionOctober 9, 2016 at 5:04 PM

    What a wonderful memory and these look good enough to eat, lol! Thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 11, 2016 at 2:13 PM

      I know! I have had several people think they are real. The hazards of faux food:) Have a great week!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  3. quakerhillfarmOctober 10, 2016 at 8:36 AM

    Oh, how creative! these are adorable and truly look good enough to eat! Have a great week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 11, 2016 at 2:14 PM

      Hi Lynn,
      They were fun to make and do store well in an air conditioned closet. I have some that I made several years ago that still look good. Have a great week as well!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  4. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleOctober 11, 2016 at 8:12 AM

    Sharing this cute idea at Wow tonight!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 11, 2016 at 2:16 PM

      Hi Kim!
      That's exciting! Thanks for sharing at Wow! They are really easy to make and lots of fun. A great decor idea for this time of year without the fear of attracting unwanted guests like sugar ants!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  5. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonOctober 11, 2016 at 9:48 PM

    So fun! They look good enough to eat. :) One of my favorite fall treats! I have a faux one that I got as a party favor. My friend made it, but she just drizzled it down the top. Really cute as well. I just showed it on my blog at my fall tea. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 12, 2016 at 4:26 PM

      What a terrific fall favor! Your friend must be a special person. I have also seen people use bird seed and sprinkle on as the mod podge is drying for a "nut" effect. Thank you so much for sharing them at your fall tea!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  6. AnonymousOctober 12, 2016 at 12:53 PM

    Where do you place the apples to dry after dipping them into the paint/mod podge so that they don't stick to the drying surface?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 12, 2016 at 4:23 PM

      Hi! I used parchment paper from my kitchen under the apples. Just like cookies, the apples will not stick to the parchment paper! Have fun!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete

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