Caramel Apple Syrup: A Rich, Fruity Blend for Your Favorite Fall Treats
When the crisp autumn air sets in, there’s nothing quite like indulging in the comforting flavors of caramel and apples. While we often associate these flavors with warm, seasonal desserts, they can also be transformed into a delicious syrup to enhance a variety of drinks and dishes. Caramel apple syrup combines the rich, buttery taste of caramel with the crisp, fruity essence of apples, offering a versatile addition to your fall recipes. Whether you’re mixing it into coffee, creating a unique cocktail, or drizzling it over pancakes, this syrup will bring a cozy touch to your day.
Ingredients
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is the base of this caramel apple syrup, contributing a rich, deep sweetness with molasses undertones.
Filtered Water
Water helps dissolve the brown sugar and creates the right consistency for the syrup.
Apples
Fresh apples infuse the syrup with a natural, fruity flavor, bringing the essence of fall into your drink or dessert.
Directions
- To start, combine the brown sugar and 1 cup of filtered water in a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture over medium heat, allowing it to come to a gentle simmer. Continue stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.
- While the sugar dissolves, wash and slice the apples. Add the apple slices to the saucepan, allowing their natural juices to blend with the sugar mixture.
- Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The syrup will thicken and take on a caramel color as the sugars begin to caramelize. Continue simmering until the syrup reaches the desired consistency.
- Once the syrup has thickened and has a rich caramel color, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Slowly add the remaining ½ cup of filtered water to the saucepan, stirring to incorporate. This will help create a smooth consistency and prevent the syrup from becoming too thick.
- Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature before straining it through a fine mesh strainer to remove any apple pieces. Transfer the strained syrup to a clean container.
- Store your homemade caramel apple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to one month, making it perfect for enjoying throughout the fall season.
Why You’ll Love Caramel Apple Syrup
Caramel apple syrup is a perfect way to capture the flavors of fall and turn them into a sweet addition to your daily routine. This syrup is a great way to bring together the flavors of butter, sugar, and apples—creating a rich, warm, and comforting taste that pairs well with many different recipes. Whether you’re looking to sweeten your coffee, mix up a special fall cocktail, or drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream, this syrup will elevate your dishes with its unique flavor combination.
Additionally, this syrup is so easy to make and requires minimal ingredients, so you can enjoy homemade caramel apple syrup without spending hours in the kitchen. With the warm notes of caramel and the fruity brightness of apples, this syrup will become a go-to in your recipe collection. Plus, it’s made with natural ingredients, making it a better choice than store-bought alternatives packed with artificial additives.
How to Use Caramel Apple Syrup
The beauty of caramel apple syrup lies in its versatility. There are many ways you can incorporate it into your recipes to enhance their flavor. Here are some delicious ideas:
In Hot or Iced Coffee
Caramel apple syrup is the perfect addition to your morning coffee. Whether you prefer a hot cup or an iced coffee, adding a spoonful of this syrup will give your drink a rich sweetness with a comforting apple twist. It’s the perfect syrup for a fall-inspired latte or iced coffee.
In Cocktails
Caramel apple syrup is fantastic in cocktails, especially those that feature dark spirits like whiskey or rum. Mix it with your favorite liquor to create a fall-inspired cocktail that tastes like a cozy night by the fire. Try it in a caramel apple old fashioned or a spiced rum apple mule for a seasonal twist.
In Desserts
You can drizzle caramel apple syrup over your favorite fall desserts, like apple pie, cheesecake, or even pancakes and waffles. Its sweet, buttery flavor enhances the natural taste of baked goods, making it the ideal syrup for holiday breakfasts or sweet treats.
In Smoothies or Shakes
Add a spoonful of caramel apple syrup to your smoothies or milkshakes for a fall-inspired flavor. It pairs wonderfully with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other autumn spices, creating a sweet and comforting drink.
Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Syrup
To make sure your caramel apple syrup turns out perfectly, here are a few helpful tips:
Choose the Right Apples
For the best flavor, choose apples that are sweet-tasting, such as Fuji or Gala apples. They will infuse the syrup with a rich, fruity flavor that complements the caramel well. You can also experiment with tart apples like Granny Smith for a sharper contrast.
Simmer Gently
During the simmering process, be sure to let the syrup simmer gently without stirring too vigorously. This allows the syrup to thicken naturally and develop a rich caramel color. Keep an eye on it to prevent it from burning.
Adjust the Sweetness
If you prefer a sweeter syrup, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar. Adding more sugar will result in a thicker and sweeter syrup, while reducing the sugar will give you a lighter, less sugary syrup.
Store Your Caramel Apple Syrup
Once your syrup has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to one month, making it the perfect syrup to enjoy all season long. If you plan to use it regularly, you can make larger batches and store them for future use.
I prefer to store my simple syrups in mason jars, and use lids like pour lids from Mason Jar Lifestyle. Alternatively, I also like to use these bottles which are aesthetic!
Check Out My Cookbook, Simple Syrups From Scratch!
Simple Syrups From Scratch—your go-to cookbook with 50+ simple syrup recipes. In the world of cooking and baking, simple syrups are a secret ingredient that can elevate your beverages and desserts with just a splash.
The main way I use simple syrups is in coffee, but there are so many other uses: Hot chocolate, Teas, Lemonades, Sparkling water or infused water, Cocktails or mocktails, Drizzle over pancakes or waffles, Add to overnight oats, Brush over cakes or cupcakes to add moisture or sweetness, Use syrups in frosting or glazes, Drizzle over ice cream or yogurt, Add to smoothies or milkshakes, Make salad dressings, Homemade popsicles and so much more!
Check Out My Cookbook, From Scratch!
I’m excited to share my cookbook with you, created with sustainability and flavor in mind! From Scratch is packed with delicious, eco-conscious recipes designed to nourish both you and the planet. Every dish is carefully crafted to use fresh, local ingredients, and focuses on minimizing waste while maximizing taste.
From wholesome breakfasts to hearty dinners, my cookbook offers a variety of plant-based meals that are easy to prepare and full of nutrients. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or simply enjoy meals that are better for you and the Earth, this cookbook is your guide to eating in a way that’s both kind to the planet and satisfying to your taste buds. You can grab your copy here:
Check Out The Pantry Labels
In 2024, I released a set of Pantry Labels with recipes that are dishwasher-safe and fit the lids of mason jars perfectly.
Each labels has the recipe to refill the dry mix jar, as well as the recipe to make the item if applicable.
Caramel Apple Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup filtered water
- ½ cup filtered water
- 2 apples
Instructions
- To start, combine the brown sugar and 1 cup of filtered water in a medium saucepan. Stir the mixture over medium heat, allowing it to come to a gentle simmer. Continue stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.
- While the sugar dissolves, wash and slice the apples. Add the apple slices to the saucepan, allowing their natural juices to blend with the sugar mixture.
- Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The syrup will thicken and take on a caramel color as the sugars begin to caramelize. Continue simmering until the syrup reaches the desired consistency.
- Once the syrup has thickened and has a rich caramel color, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Slowly add the remaining ½ cup of filtered water to the saucepan, stirring to incorporate. This will help create a smooth consistency and prevent the syrup from becoming too thick.
- Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature before straining it through a fine mesh strainer to remove any apple pieces. Transfer the strained syrup to a clean container.
- Store your homemade caramel apple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to one month, making it perfect for enjoying throughout the fall season.
