This Caramel Apple Pie Fudge is caramel apples meets apple pie. A fantastic Fall dessert mash-up or anytime during the year!
Every year Haley and Trevor go on a pumpkin patch field trip with their school. It’s a pretty cool one, where you can brush sheep, watch pigs be dirty, pet baby chicks, take a train ride, and pick out a tiny pumpkin.
The kids can also climb a steep mountain of hay stacks (bites nails), bounce on a gigantic trampoline with 100 other kids (grits teeth), and they vie for space on an old jungle gym (cringes) – I immediately age 10 years and pray my kids come home in one piece…which is why I make Paul take them.
They also have a gift and snack shack, of course. This year Paul and Trevor returned home with a little container of candy Lego bricks. Edible Lego bricks…they stack and everything. Pretty neat. In Paul’s other hand was fudge. Caramel Apple Pie Fudge. I about died at first contact.
I immediately went online to get the recipe. I Googled, I went on TasteSpotting and FoodGawker, I went on All Recipes. Nothing! You can buy it from places, but ain’t nobody giving out that recipe!
After I cried, I regrouped and went to work on creating my own.
Spot on. This Caramel Apple Pie Fudge tastes just like if a caramel apple and apple pie got married. And absolutely amazing.
Tips for making this caramel apple pie fudge
1. This recipe calls for apple cider, NOT apple cider vinegar. You don’t want your fudge tasting like vinegar.
2. Make sure you are using sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk.
3. I prefer Ghirardelli white chocolate chips over any other. It seems to have a smoother texture and melts easier.
4. After bringing the mixture to a rolling boil, don’t stop stirring! If you stop, your mixture could burn.
5. Use Dulce de Leche or Caramel Topping, but not caramel syrup. Caramel syrup is too thin and can add moisture to the fudge, which won’t allow it to set properly.
Other caramel apple desserts we love
This Caramel Apple Pie Fudge is caramel apples meets apple pie. A fantastic Fall dessert mash-up or anytime during the year!
- 3/4 cup apple cider
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 12 ounce bag white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup finely diced dried apple
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon all spice
- 3 tablespoons Dulce De Leche
-
Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
-
In a large saucepan combine the apple cider, butter, sweetened condensed milk, and sugar; bring to a rolling boil and stir continuously for 5 minutes.
-
Reduce heat to low; add in the white chocolate and stir until completely melted and smooth.
-
Stir in the dried apple, vanilla, and spices; blend well, stirring for another minute or so to incorporate.
-
Pour mixture into baking dish.
-
Heat Dulche de Leche in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to loosen. Drizzle or drop dollops around in the baking dish and swirl through with a dull knife for a marbled effect.
-
Refrigerate for at least 8 hours (or overnight), until completely hardened.
-
Remove parchment paper from pan and place on cutting board. Cut into squares and enjoy!
1. For tips, please refer to the article.
2. To store: fudge should be refrigerated, in a covered container, for up to one week.
Stacey says
I’d like to make this for Mother’s Day gifts but, with it being spring, apple cider is hard to find. I know it’s not the same but might apple juice work?
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Stacey! Not sure :( I’ve only made it the way instructed. Fudge is so temperamental. Try it?
Stacey says
Thanks for the response! I’ll keep hunting for the cider but, if I try apple juice, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Sheila says
I thought I’d tried every type of fudge out there, but I was wrong! Loved this. So easy and DELICIOUS. Making it again for a bridal shower I’m hosting.
Cara says
Made this today and have been anxiously waiting for it to set. It took about 3 1/2 hours and was dangerously good. This recipe is the best and worst thing that could have happened to me. LOL.
Meaghan says
You are my hero! My family took a trip to the apple farm this past weekend like we do every year and I bought a few gallons of apple cider and dried apple. Came home and made this the next day. It was absolutely delicious. I’m going to make it again for Thanksgiving!
Lydia says
Made this for Christmas and the family said I have to make them every year from now on. It’s very rich – a little goes a long way!
Theresa says
Made up a batch to bring into the teacher’s lounge. It was gone in seconds and everyone the next day said, “Don’t make that again! It was TOO good!”
Pamela S says
So funny story. For some reason I thought it said apple cider vinegar – which obviously it doesn’t! But that’s what I used and it was, well, vinegar-y! Yuck. Looked at the ingredients again and realized I goofed. Made another batch with apple cider and it was out of this world! Thank you for a wonderful fudge recipe!
Amy @Belly Full says
ACK. Definitely don’t want to use vinegar! I’m glad you were able to laugh about it and start over. It’s absolutely worth it! Thanks, Pamela!
Judy Evans says
I’m not sure if you used apple chips, or just a regular apple in the recipe. I would like to try the recipe. Thank you!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Judy – I used dried apple. It’s where the other dried fruit is (prunes, apricots, etc.) in the grocery store. Enjoy!
Sandra Perdriel says
For the Dulce de Leche….. I live in the S.W. of France in a small town. We don’t go in for new-fangled things. Thanks I will try for a recipe online.
Sandra says
I cannot buy dry apple. Could I use fresh apple instead? What is Dulce de Leche?
Amy @Very Culinary says
You do need dried apple – fresh apple will let off too much moisture. Dulce de Leche is sweetened milk that has been caramelized. You can find it in most grocery stores…it comes in a can. Or there are several recipes online to make your own.
Mary Barrett says
Is this the sweetened condensed milk?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Mary – no, sweetened condensed milk and Dulce de Leche are two different things. If your grocer carries it, they’ll know what aisle to direct you. The name Dulce de Leche is right on the can.
capturing joy with kristen duke says
This sounds amazing!!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Holy deliciousness batman. These look awesome. PINNED.
Amy says
Thanks, Aimee! It seriously is. Tastes even better than it looks, if that’s possible!
Beth says
Made this for Christmas and it was absolutely delicious!! Mine set in just a few hours. I might make it again for New Year’s – one more hoorah before I start my diet ;-)
Tania says
Made this for Thanksgiving. Everyone wanted the recipe. OMG SO GOOD!!!!
Elise says
I read through the comments as well before making these. If you let it come to a rolling boil and make sure the white chips melt completely it comes out perfectly as the author notes. Mine even set very fast, maybe an hour? It was delicious!!
Susan Brown says
I couldn’t wait to try this recipe! I added the dry spices to the sugar instead of at the end, did everything else according to your recipe and it turned out wonderful! This requires less time in the fridge, it started setting right up just like regular fudge does. Using this in my gifts for the neighbors this year, they are going to love it!
Mary Scanlon says
Amy, I couldn’t find any dried apples, but came across a recipe that used applesauce. What do you think, any ideas? Thanks, Mary
Amy says
Hi there Mary – no, do not use applesauce…that’s will be like adding liquid and make it too loose. The dried apple give it that apple flavor, but also adds that slight texture of having bits in there. Usually grocery stores have dried apple near their other fruit, like dates, prunes, apricots. If you still can’t find it, just leave it out. It won’t be exactly the same, but still good. I hope!
Mary Scanlon says
My daughter was raving about this fudge she tried and that I had to find a recipe for it. I was searching and finding the same thing you did, buying it. THANK YOU SO MUCH, can’t wait to try this and have her sample it.
Stephanie says
I think I just learned to love you a little more. You’re a genius, Amy. I’m not huge on fudge, but I seriously have to try this. Maybe I can find time before Thanksgiving!
Julie says
I have had such a comedy of errors prepping to make these – went out for dried apple rings, got home and realized I didn’t have white chocolate. Ran out for white chocolate, got home, and realized what I thought was sweetened condensed milk in the back of my pantry was actually evaporated milk. I firmly believe it will all be worth it – I’ve been thinking about this fudge for days! I’ll let you know how it turns out :)
Amy says
Too funny. I’ve done that countless times!
Veronica says
Thanks for doing the work for us Amy, all we have to do is follow the recipe! You rock! This sounds (and looks) incredible.
Joanne says
All that weight I lost while marathon training…it was gone as soon as I looked at these and realized I was probably going to make and devour a whole batch. I love/hate you right now. :)
Dana says
You. Are. Awesome. I’ve seen this for sale at apple orchards and pumpkin patches, too, and always wondered about a recipe. Too excited to make this!! My neighbors will love you, too, because I’m sure it will definitely be one I won’t be able to keep around, or I’ll be 500 pounds as well. Yum!
Amy says
I knew I couldn’t be the only one searching. Apparently, it’s top secret information…but not anymore! Yay!
Dana says
It’s chilling in the refrigerator! The flavor is SO incredible. I hope it firms up…all I had was FF evap milk and I’ve not had good luck with that in recipes in the past. I’m hopeful. If nothing else, I can use it as an ice cream topping!
Amy says
Hm. I don’t know if fat free will make a difference in texture or taste. I guess we’ll find out! *fingers crossed*
Andrea says
It looks like the apple is on top of the fudgy part, with the dulce de leche. Did you sprinkle them on before you drizzled the dulce de leche? Or did you mix the apples into the DdeL before drizzling? This recipe may distract me from the bag of Butterfingers . . . .
Amy says
Oops, my bad Andrea…I forgot to include the dried apple into the directions. GAH. I fixed it in the recipe and print out. But you mix the dried apple pieces in at the same time as the white chocolate. They just floated to the top (which wasn’t my intention, but in the end, it didn’t matter!)
pam says
Just when I thought I had tried every possible type of fudge. You are my hero for bringing this to my attention!
Amy says
HEE. I’m here to help, Pam ;-)
Melissa says
I want to not care, too. Get on that.
Also, you made your own. WIN.
Amy says
Goodness, no doubt. And I know you’re familiar with that feeling when you create something basically from scratch. *pats self on back*
Paul Flanigan says
I can confirm. These are absolutely the best tastinganoidjfoiewjfaiowej……fefwe.
Sorry, got lost in the lusciousness and fantabulosity of the moment.
Srslygood.
Amy says
I want to not care about weighing 500 pounds, so I can make this every week. *cries*