Written by On this day, back in 1990, Apple Day became a tradition in the UK, so for my friends across the pond, Happy Apple Day! Nearly forty years prior to this, in the United States, the caramel apple was invented and is now a popular signal of autumn here, so that’s what I doodlewashed for today. This type of apple treat is pretty self-explanatory, but for those unfamiliar, you simply jab a wooden popsicle stick in the top of an apple, melt some caramel, insert apple into it, and pull out gooey goodness. Sometimes crushed peanuts are added, but I never liked them that way. It was texture issue. Granted, this isn’t a particularly healthy version of an apple, to be sure, but it was always part of a fun celebration of some kind where such thoughts were happily tossed out the window.
It was just a year ago this month that I doodlewashed my first apple ever. In that post, I discussed my childhood aversion to apple bobbing. For this post, I’m pleased to report the caramel apple tradition includes nothing but the happiest of memories. Although, they could easily be made at home, my most memorable encounters with these apples were at various autumn fairs and harvest celebrations. Unique events painted with fall colors and full of new experiences. Biting into a caramel apple was a delightful, yet messy experience. The crisp crunch and tart taste of the ‘Granny Smith’ apple was a perfect combination to the sweet taste of melted caramel. They were super sticky, though, making it possible to yank out your baby teeth if you weren’t careful. But, this simply meant an early visit from the Tooth Fairy and money under your pillow, so I never heard of a single kid who was disappointed to find a tooth stuck inside that goo.
This is another of those memories that makes me try to recall the last time I’ve actually tried it. I think it must have happened again when I was an adult, but I can’t remember a single time that it did. The closest thing I rememeber eating was a snack pack I used to get at work that consisted of apple slices and a tiny tub of caramel sauce. While it tasted good, it lacked any of the experience of a real caramel apple and just seemed too civilized. I think the reason I recall so many childhood memories is because I truly miss them. I miss the days of jabbing my whole arm into a cereal box to recover the prize inside. I miss going to the fair with my parents and feeling so impressed by things I’d never seen before. And I miss those messy “uncivilized” treats that made my childhood so much fun, back in the perfectly carefree days of caramel apples.
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Carmine, Red Orange, Indian Yellow, Perylene Maroon, Phthalo. Green Light, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Deep. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with sepia ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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You’ve certainly nailed that caramel – sticky and scrummy and I feel as though my fingers ought to be sticky. Great stuff! Fond memories, especially in that I never lost a tooth in one – goodness!
I remember your post about apple bobbing so vividly – how the time flies! It’s nearly Cliché Day again! 😉
Thanks, Jacob! 😃 Yeah… I can’t believe it’s been a year since the apple bobbing post. Seems like yesterday that I attempted to paint an apple! Lol Awww Cliché Day is probably my favorite day of the year! Though I can’t repeat it… I used nearly all of them in that post!! haha
Haha, maybe, but that doesn’t mean you can’t partake in person. I’m sure those around you will love you for it, as long as you give one hundred and ten per cent! 😉
my favorite, caramel! so well done and yummy looking Charlie!
Thanks so much, Debi! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
you’re really welcome Charlie 🙂
Ohhh lovely caramel apples Charlie beautifully painted I could eat one right now! 😉
Thanks, so much Carolina! 😃💕 I’m totally going to have one of these this season!
You’re welcome Charlie and yes me too going to have one! 😉 <3
Craving for caramel apples
Yum, looks good enough to eat!
hehe… thanks so much, Teri! 😃💕
Like really? Not again charlie… My stomach was in pain right now, they’r craving for a caramel apples
haha! Food is my favorite thing to paint so apologies!! 😊
You made me hungry . . . i’m going out to get a bag of caramels and apples. I don’t bother with melting and dipping – I unwrap a whole bunch of caramels and pop one in my mouth, take a bite of apple, pop a caramel, bite the apple, pop, bite, pop, bite and of course chew.
P.S. Charlie, you’ve simply got to go back to painting weird animals . . . with all your food paintings I’ve gained 15 pounds.
Thanks, Judy! 😃💕 And sorry! lol I found that I love painting food best… but I can honestly assure you that all of my doodlewashes have 0 calories!! Lol
Mmmmmmm!! Definitely looks ready to eat! I love caramel apples- I always thought the caramel was the best part. I wanted to eat the caramel on the outside and leave the apple. Alas, now I don’t indulge in that kind of treat. Thanks for the memories, Charlie!
Thanks, Linda! 😃💕 I’m so happy you enjoyed this! Yeah… I think I was the same way as a kid! Lol
Oh yes the toffee apple and apple bobbing, a sure sign that Halloween celebrations are in full swing…well it was that way 30 + years ago. Now it consists of dressing up and banging on doors for sweets..oh or a trick! I think most kids today would be shocked at the apple bobbing game, all for a bite of an apple. We also played the marshmallow in a pile of flower game, with hands tied behind back, you can imagine straight after apple bobbing, then covered in wet flower, but it was fun.
Another great oozing doodlewash, look at that sugar all collected at the base, well drawn.
hehe… thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 And those are great memories!! FUN! I never played the marshmallow game, but now I really, really want to!! That sounds like an absolute blast!
Awesome job on this one Charlie and I remember that first Apple post. 😉
Awww thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕 Seems like yesterday that first apple happened, yet it’s been a whole year! Wow!
Toffee Apples is how I know them, Charlie… and I haven’t had one on years. I may just indulge, for old time’s sake, you understand. I must admit that I’ve never heard of Apple Day – you learn something new everyday! Hope you’re having a good weekend.
Thanks, Tom! 😃 You should totally indulge!! And yeah… apparently Apple Day is a thing. hehe… but definitely get that Toffee Apple!!
bien merci beaucoup
Merci!! 😃💕
I miss the simple days of childhood when time seemed like it stood still. Now it seems like I’m always short on time! 😉 Love how you painted the caramel, Charlie! Cheers to childhood memories, friend! 🍏📽⏳
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕 Yeah… even though I swear I’ll always act like a kid, I still never seem to have the time like I did back then! hehe
I love autumn food! Hot chocolate, brandy, roast carrots and parsnips… they always had caramel apples at the fireworks night at my school, so I have these very vivid memories of standing in the playground with my family – all cold breath and warm caramel 🙂
Awww that’s a lovely memory!!! Yeah, Autumn food is the best! I love this time of year so much! 😃
Let me guess: tomorrow is National Dentist Day, right?
Haha!! If it isn’t then it should be!! 😉
Now I have to find me a caramel apple. You have awakened a hidden desire of mine. Lol. I haven’t had one in years. When I look at your painting I can almost taste the apple and imagine the crunch and juices gushing throughout my mouth. Incredible artwork.
Thanks! 😃 Yeah…. it’s been years since I’ve had one, but after painting this it’s become a mission to have one this season! Lol
Hi Charlie — Would love to purchase this image! Is it available for sale? You do the best candy apples on the internet!