I’ve been a HUGE fan of the Walt Disney World caramel apples for many years.
My obsession grew to a new level when, on a recent trip to Disneyland, I saw that the West coast Disney snack artists have turned this formerly simple treat into a true art form.
Not only are the Disney caramel apples delicious, they are also beautiful, creative, and just plain fun.
But all of that begs a practical question. How do they get so many sticks into so many apples? I mean seriously, have you ever tried to shove a pop stick into an apple?
It’s hard, and messy, and after doing three or four of them, you’re ready to stop and just pour the caramel through a funnel into your mouth, bypassing the apple altogether. (Don’t try that at home folks. :-))
Well, as I was perusing the Disneyland treat offerings, I happened upon a caramel apple prep area and, mystery solved, I learned how they get the sticks into the apples. A handy-dandy gadget comes to the rescue…
Here’s video of the gadget in action.
A little Google sleuthing reveals that this too can be yours for a mere $80.00. Yep, eighty bucks. For that much money I could have whole bunches of caramels apples already made for me by the Disney experts.
Sounds like a plan!
So fellow treat eaters, did you ever wonder how they got the sticks in the apples? Will you be investing in a big ticket stick machine? Let us know in the comments below.
Erin Foster is the Disney Food for Families columnist and a behind-the-scenes guru here at Disney Food Blog! Check out more of her posts here.
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That’s a very cool gadget! But like you said, I’d rather spend the money on apples they made for me. 🙂
What were you saying? I couldn’t hear anything because I was distracted by that amazing looking Reeses Pieces apple. 🙂
Great sleuthing!!
mmmmmmmm Disney apples! I want $80.00 worth of apples 🙂 you can keep the gadget LOL
this is my fav food porn website
But….
Are the caramel apples gluten free, so that I *COULD* eat $80 worth of them??
Dana – I hear you!
JT – I know what you mean. So many good choices.
Kim – 🙂
Christal – I know, so much more satisfying to have someone else do it for you.
Tron – Mine too!
Tiffany – Many, but not all of the apples are gluten free. Some apple versions have crumbled cookies or graham cracker powder on the outside. Those would obviously not be gluten free. But the ones that just have sugar or chocolate with the caramel apple likely would be. With any food issue, it’s best to double check at the point of purchase, but you should be able to get many yummy apples at WDW.
Does this have settings? Fiji, red delicious, corn dog…
“oh no! She’s set it on granny smith! Run!”
GG – LOL!
I always get a ‘custom’ made apple to take home and this year I’m getting a ‘Minnie’ in her polka dot dress for a gift! I love their caramel apples and I love that they let you make your own custom made with as many layers as you like (mine always have four layers!).
The Imagineers strike again.
I was hoping the dilemma being solved was how to eat one without making a huge mess. They have always seemed to daunting for me.
As much as I love food on a stick, this might be a necessity at my house 🙂
Maggie — If you’re in Walt Disney World, ask them to cut up the apple and put it in a container for you. Much easier to eat that way. 🙂
Tron, Food porn! LoL! So that explains why I can’t stay away from this blog!
I worked at the Candy Cauldron on my Fall 2006 College Program (yes, I’m still with Disney after all these years, unfortunately I’m no longer dipping things in caramel and chocolate all day!), and we had to hammer the sticks in one at a time with a mallet! This is so much better… where was this 6 years ago?!
LOL for real! Tron has hit the nail on the head – Food Porn! That needs to be on a t-shirt. One of my favorite made-up food related words is “foodgasm”. You guys know what that is- that feeling you get when you bite into a food that makes you swoon, moan, and go weak in the knees. Tee-hee!
Love this video! That’s one mystery solved for me; I’d always assumed it was like ice cream scooping, and they just developed amazing apple-prepping muscles! 🙂
I worked at a candy shop where we would make about 200 caramel apples every 3 days or so. We didn’t use a fancy gadget, all you have to do is hold the stick with a kitchen towel against your palm and pierce it quickly in the center with a slight twist of your wrist. Make sure the stick is very straight while you pierce it. You’ll be a pro after a few tries.
I can’t come to Disney Land (would love to but I am handicapped)can I purchase some apples on line ? thank you..Lana