Did you know that the last day in October is famous for more than just Halloween? October 31 is also National Caramel Apple Day. In many ways, it makes perfect sense. Caramel apples go hand in hand with so many things associated with the season surrounding Halloween – parties, autumn days, pumpkin picking, and so much more.
Caramel Apples
Although you can find delicious caramel apples at a variety of locations in Disney World, my favorite place to go is the Karamell-Kuche shop at the Germany Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. The store’s name literally translates to “Caramel Kitchen.” Believe it or not, caramel apples were invented by accident. The story goes that Dan Walker, a confectioner working for the Kraft company in the 1950s, was trying to figure out what to do with an abundance of extra caramels after Halloween. Mr. Walker’s ingenuity to pair the melted candies with apples paid off. The popularity of the new snack skyrocketed. Over time a variety of additional flavors have been added to the caramel, including chocolate, candy pieces and more.
Other Caramel Treats
Karamell-Kuche specializes in all things caramel. The display cases are always filled with a variety of treats including bars, cookies, s’mores, clusters and more. These items are often seasonal and rotate in and out often. Therefore, it is best to stop by each time you visit EPCOT to see what delicious items are currently available.
Many pre-packaged items are also at the ready for purchase. The store sells just about any flavor of Werther’s Original products you can think of including caramel apple, coffee, and chocolate covered. In addition, caramel popcorn is for sale in a variety of unique flavors including cinnamon cookie and pumpkin spice.
However, my personal favorite is the caramel popcorn made fresh daily in the store. Be sure to look for the white bags on the counter. This is by far one of the best snacks at not only EPCOT, but in all of Disney World. I’m not even much of a sweet popcorn fan, but this snack won me over quickly with its distinctive and bold flavor.
Make Your Own Caramel Apples
If you are craving one of these delectable caramel apples but aren’t able to visit Disney World, try your hand at making some at home instead. I used to be intimidated by the thought of attempting my own, but the process is actually quite simple and quick.
Look for an easy to follow recipe on the back of the package. Beyond the purchase of the caramels, you only need a few additional items including milk, four apples and four craft sticks. If you like a burst of tart flavor, be sure to use Granny Smith apples. If you prefer a more mild flavor, Red Delicious apples will do the trick.
Simply melt the milk and caramels in a bowl and spoon the mixture over the apples. After a bit of cooling, your delicious treats are ready to eat.
Everyone seems to have a favorite caramel apple from Disney World. Although many are truly tasty, my preference is a straightforward, no-frills caramel only. My daughter’s favorite is the Minnie apple with the adorable red and white bow on top. What is your favorite caramel apple at Disney?
