Fall Faux Caramel Apple Project

I've been wanting to try this Faux Caramel Apple project for the last couple of years, but never got around to it. This year I was determined to get it done! I first saw these cuties on Aunt Ruthie's Sugar Pie Farm blog. If you haven't checked her out, make sure to pop over sometime and look around. You won't be disappointed! 

I just think these are so dang cute sitting in the window, and if you have a bit of a mean streak, people will think you made them a decadent treat. Have fun with that! They look really realistic.

Ready to see how they're made? All the items are readily available and inexpensive. The first thing you need is artificial apples. There seems to be a considerable range of price for these. If they seem pricey to you, keep looking. I got mine for about $2 each I believe. You could do all red, all green, or a mix of both. Gently pull the plastic stem off so you will have room to insert a twig in the top.

Next, just poke your stick in where the stem was. Even though they're styrofoam-like, I still had to push really hard to get them in. It helps to twist while you're pushing.

After your apples are all ready, it's time to mix up your faux caramel sauce. Just use the inexpensive acrylic crafts paints and choose a color or two that look like a nice rich, creamy caramel color. I couldn't find anything spot-on, so I chose three and mixed them. You'll also need to add glossy Mod Podge to your mixture. 

Now you can just grab your apples and start coating them just like you would do with real caramel apples.

Make sure to leave part of the apple caramel-free just like a real caramel apple. Then, while the paint mixture is still nice and wet, add your faux chopped peanuts. Want to know what they really are? Corn cob animal bedding. Yep! Looks just like the real thing!

I just poured some on a paper plate and sprinkled over the top of my apples. Don't worry about doing it perfectly. This is a very forgiving project.

Next, set your apple on a non-stick surface to dry. You could use waxed paper if you'd like. I had freezer paper on hand, so that's what I used. Just make sure to use the shiny side if you use freezer paper.

Once I had all my apples dipped and sprinkled, I added the finishing touch and hot glued on a leaf or two to give them a slightly more realistic look. I just pulled them off some faux boxwood greenery I already had on hand, but you could also pick some up at the craft store. I think one or two inexpensive floral picks would do fine.

After allowing my faux apples to dry overnight, I found them to be just a little tacky on the bottom still. So, I cut a piece of freezer paper to fit my cake stand and heaped them on for display.

I'm really happy with the way they turned out and I'm sure I'll pull these out for several falls to come. 

Here's what you'll need to try this project on your own:

Six Faux Apples

Acrylic Paint (try mixing two or three colors for a custom shade of caramel)

Mod Podge (make sure to get the glossy finish)

Corn Cob Animal Bedding

Six Sticks (approximately six inches - just collected ours from our front lawn)

Hot Glue Gun

Greenery

Waxed Paper or Freezer Paper

Remove plastic stem from apples, then replace each with a stick. Next mix up your faux caramel sauce. I used about 1/3 to 1/2 of each bottle of acrylic paint I chose, then swirled them all together. I just kept adding a squirt of this and a splurt of that until I got the color I wanted. Then, I added approximately the same amount of Mod Podge as paint. Don't worry about exact measurements. It will turn out fine if you just approximate. Next, when your paint and Mod Podge is well mixed, swirl your apples to cover the lower 2/3 of each apple. Leave plenty of the green or red showing at the top. Not only does it look more realistic, but it's really pretty too. Next, sprinkle the corn cob bedding over the top until you get a look you like. I concentrated most of my faux chopped peanuts on the top and left the lower half of the apples mostly caramelly. That may not be an actual word. Let's just say it is. Next, place them on your waxed paper to dry and give them a good 12-24 hours. While they're drying, hot glue a leaf or two to the sticks for a natural look. That's it! Now all you have to do is enjoy them! Oh, and make sure to warn ecstatic family members that they can't really be eaten. Happy fall!