Gourmet Caramel Apples

So these are totally a guilty pleasure of mine. At $8.00 a pop at the chocolate store, I had to figure out how to make them myself. I got some pointers on ourbestbites.com and went for it. And if I do say so myself, they were dang good! Aren't they pretty too? And your friends and neighbors will be so impressed. (Assuming that you decide to share!) Here they  are step-by-step.

Gourmet Caramel Apples
apples (granny smith work best)
caramel (I used the caramel bits because you don't have to unwrap them!)
sticks (five come in each bag or caramel bits, but I found there's enough caramel for six apples, so improvise. I used forks!)
toppings

Prep your apples by washing, drying, "roughing" them up (I used sand paper. You don't need to do this too much, just enough to remove any wax. This helps the caramel stick better), and stick in the sticks. Make sure the sticks are in deep because once you dip the apples they will be rather heavy and you don't want them falling off the sticks. Melt the caramel according to the directions on the package. Carefully dip each apple and use a spoon to help fully coat. If you are going to use a topping, roll in the topping now. Then place on greased waxed paper. Place in fridge to cool and harden between layers of toppings.

I made several of these ideas below. So far the German chocolate is my favorite!
Topping ideas:
Apple Pie: let caramel cool then dip in white chocolate and roll in crushed graham crackers mixed with cinnamon.

German Chocolate: Roll in pecans while caramel is hot. Once cooled roll in melted chocolate and toasted coconut.

Chocolate covered pretzel: Roll in crushed pretzels while hot. Once cooled drizzle with chocolate.

Smore: Roll in mini marshmallows while still hot. Once cooled, drizzle with melted chocolate then graham cracker crumbs.
Chocolate Graham: Once cooled, dip in chocolate then drizzle with white chocolate and roll in graham crackers.

Turtle: Roll in pecans while caramel is still hot. Once cooled, dip in chocolate.
Black and white: Once cooled, dip in chocolate and drizzle with white chocolate.

*Tip: melt 1 cup chocolate chips with 1 Tbs. shortening in microwave for 2 minutes for silky smooth consistency.