Attention Andy’s Frozen Custard lovers, there's a new treat you can really sink your teeth into: caramel apples.
Ann Burge, director of operations excellence for Andy's, said the caramel has been in development for years. It’s important to the company to craft the best products in-house, from its brownies and pumpkin pie to its sauces, she said. It’s not the same caramel that you’d taste on Andy's famous Ozarks Turtle, but it has the same heavenly flavor.
Andy’s tested the apples in Chicago three years ago and then rolled them out in Kansas City in 2022.
They were a hit.
Last year, Andy’s sold 115,000 caramel apples in 10 weeks.
This fall, they are at all Springfield locations and most stores nationwide. Andy’s now has 142 locations — impressive for a former mom-and-pop spot that started back in 1986.
As for the delectable apples, they start with Missouri-grown Granny Smiths. Who doesn’t love that tart contrast to the sweet and creamy caramel? Then the apples are hand-dipped in hand-crafted caramel, which takes two hours per batch to make.
Andy’s recently hosted a tasting event for the media, and hungry writers and influencers were able to sample the new fall treats. Here are the varieties available:
- Double Caramel Dip — For those who can’t get enough of the good stuff (and we mean really good stuff). The only thing better than one dip of caramel is two! Burge said this was her personal favorite because as the caramel rests and dries, it forms a curtain of extra caramel at the bottom of the apple. Yummy.
- Reese’s Pieces — This one is for those who have a serious sweet tooth or love anything kissed by Reese’s. The apple and caramel are the first flavors to hit, but then the crunch and peanut butter come in strong as you chew. Peanut butter lovers rejoice!
- Roasted Pecan — The warm caramel-wrapped apple is rolled in Missouri pecans from Nevada, Missouri. The pecans provide a lovely contrast to the caramel and help reduce the sweet factor while adding a different texture and a beautiful buttery flavor.
Burge said the caramel is the best-seller, but the pecan is a close second.
Andy’s makes 3,200 apples per day, which are packaged and sent via FedEx to different locations. The apples are individually wrapped so they transport well and can be kept for up to 21 days, Burge said.
Keep them away from heat.
If you want to try one of the new caramel apples, they are available now through Thanksgiving.
Andy’s is open from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. You can find the closest location on their website.
How ’bout them apples
Caramel apples have become an ingrained, fall food tradition, but they’ve only been around since the 1950s. Dan Walker, an employee at Kraft Foods, is said to have invented the sweet concoction when he melted Kraft caramels leftover from Halloween and dipped an apple in them. He created a lasting tradition.
While Andy’s might be the newest spot to score this treat in the Ozarks, it’s not the only one. Here are some other places you can get a caramel apple this fall.
Former Evangel University professor uses homemade treats to give back
Milton Krans was an Evangel professor for 30 years and retired about eight years ago after a car accident. He has stayed busy in retirement giving back to the university.
From now until the end of February, he sells hand-dipped caramel apples and donates the proceeds to Evangel to help fund scholarships and student mission trips. He raises an average of $4,000 a year. The “humungous” apples come from Washington State and are Honey Crisp, he said.
Krans spent nine years perfecting his caramel and fair warning, these apples are meant to be sliced. Do not bite directly into them.
“My caramel apple is heavy, and you have to slice it and eat it that way,” he said.
The fruit on a stick can be dipped in Snickers, pecans, M&Ms, Mounds, Reese’s and more.
People love them.
“Every time I give one away, someone orders 10,” Krans said.
Find it: Order your apples in advance through text or email, and then he’ll arrange a pickup time and place. Text Krans at (417) 830-6515 or email him.
Head to Silver Dollar City for caramel apples and more fall treats
Silver Dollar City has served caramel apples for years and you can score them now during its Harvest Festival and Pumpkins In The City. Here’s what makes these apples stand out: They are presliced, which is nice because it’s easier to eat. You can score the dessert at three different stands in the park:
- Pumpkin’s Cider Shack (Town Square)
- Dockside Concessions (Rivertown)
- Pumpkin Plaza
But here is something even more delicious that is inspired by this fall treat — their salted caramel apple pie funnel cake. The dessert classic meets funnel cake and amusement park fare. It’s delicious! The funnel cake is topped with chopped apples, salted caramel and piles of whipped cream. This is also a great option for anyone who can’t bite into hard foods because of dental problems. It’s available in Cakes & Cones at the park.
Dalton Fischer, communications manager at Silver Dollar City, said they sold 2,100 caramel apple funnel cakes and more than 3,000 sliced caramel apples last year. They went through more than two tons of apples and a ton of caramel.
Find it: Silver Dollar City, 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson; or visit their website
Bon Bon’s Candy House offers a large selection of flavors
Bon Bon’s Candy House is another spot where you can score a caramel apple and there’s a large selection of flavors:
- Plain Caramel Apple — This classic Granny Smith apple covered in caramel is the top seller.
- Deluxe Pecan Caramel — Take a caramel apple and roll it in roasted pecans, then drizzle it in a trio of chocolates: milk, dark and white. Hello, decadence!
- Pecan Caramel Apple — A traditional caramel apple dipped in roasted pecans.
- Sea Salt Caramel Apple — Apple, caramel, milk chocolate and sea salt.
- Apple Pie Caramel Apple — A caramel apple dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. For the sugar lover.
Bon Bon's apples are available now through Oct. 31.
Find it: Bon Bon's Candy House, 2720 S. Glenstone Ave., in the Brentwood Center; or visit their website
Take matters into your own hands
If you want to try your own hand at making caramel apples, check out the blog House of Nash Eats. This post has a great step-by-step recipe with decadent results.
