You’ve picked your apples. Now it’s time to dip them.
Are you a caramel apple savant? Do you prefer the crunchy, sticky candy shell of a caramel apple? Ever tried your hand at a fudge-covered apple? Well, regardless of your preference, you might not have to choose. A hallmark of the Halloween season, candy and caramel apples encapsulate much of what is great about fall—and they’re here, now, for your crunching pleasure. If you’re itching for a hand in locating Long Island’s best dressed up fruit, here is the ultimate guide to caramel and candy (and, ok, chocolate) apples.
Locavores, take note: premier Huntington chocolatier Bon Bons only offers their epic caramel and candy apples seasonally, ending on Halloween. Apples come from East Northport’s Richter’s Orchard and are cloaked either in the traditional red candy shell, luscious caramel, fudge, or a combination of caramel, fudge, and sprinkles (known as The Triple). Apples are MacIntosh, that easily bite-able apple that’s amplified with a coating of, well, whatever you like. If you’re sad that these apples only make a once-yearly appearance, know, too, that you can order a batch of 25 any old time you like—special orders have no seasonal expiration date.
Bon Bons Chocolatier, 319 Main Street, Huntington, (631) 549-1059, open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2. Kilwins
Although Kilwins is technically a franchise, with outposts throughout Long Island and the country, it’s still a tried-and-true purveyor of apples on a stick. What’s best about Kilwins is the staggering variety they offer, from turtle apples (pecans and caramel) to dark chocolate-dipped, to milk chocolate and sea salt. Apples are Golden Delicious, which are vibrant and tart, the perfect contrast to their adornments. Really, the types of sweetened up apples available in the fall are so expansive that you’re better off just taking a look for yourself. I prefer the Babylon store for its authenticity, but there are also Kilwin stores in Port Jefferson, Huntington, and Patchogue.
Kilwins, 130 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, (631) 482-8551, open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This cider mill, now in its second location, is a 150-year-old Long Island standard-bearer, with ample acres dedicated to growing apples and pressing cider. In addition to apple-y pies, donuts, crumbles, crisps, cookies, breads, and other delights made in house and available both at the mill and online, the mill produces candy and caramel apples, all using their homegrown wares. Apples are traditional: bright red candy shell, or creamy milk-based caramel. So feel free to apple pick to your heart’s delight and take home a sugarcoated reminder of your day in the fields.
Jericho Cider Mill, 213 Oyster Bay Road, Jericho, (516) 433-3360, open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
4. Yottabyte
This craft candy and chocolate purveyor is “committed to promote socially responsible chocolate and candy makers.” Their diverse lineup of chocolates are impressive in and of themselves, and this Smithtown haunt also brings in glass-bottled Canarsie seltzer from Brooklyn weekly for use in their very own egg creams (throwback alert!). But if you’re in it for the apples, you won’t be disappointed in Yottabyte’s caramel and chocolate covered version, which is adorned in seasonal sprinkles and cello-wrapped—in case you don’t intend to eat it in the car. Extra comfort alert: You can order these apples online for delivery direct to your house, if you’d rather dine from home.
Yottabyte, 9 Singer Lane, Smithtown, (631) 656-9800, open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Woodside Orchards, which boasts both Aquebogue and Jamesport outposts, is home to much more than apples. The orchard raises its own bees for honey production, grows Christmas trees, hosts seasonal apple-picking, bakes some really impressive pies and donuts, and makes a widely acclaimed series of hard ciders—made from a blend of their 28 apple varieties. Candy and caramel apples are part of the Woodside package deal, grown on premise and dipped in chewy, gooey madness. In a nutshell: you’d be remiss to omit Woodside from your fall travels.
Woodside Orchards, 11 Manor Lane, Jamesport, (631) 722-5770, open Thursday through Tuesday 11:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.
