6 medium-small unblemished red delicious OR granny smith apples
1 cup sprinkles, jimmies, mini white OR chocolate chips, and/or chopped nuts, for decorating
1 (14 oz) pkg plain caramels, unwrapped
1 1/2-2 tbs milk OR half-and-half

line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or waxed paper, then butter the foil or paper. have ready 6 wooden craft sticks.remove the stems (if any) from the apples and insert a wooden stick into the blossom end of each apple. put the decorations in shallow bowls.

put the caramels and milk in a microwave-proof bowl and microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. or melt in a small heavy saucepan. stir until melted and smooth, then cool a few minutes. working quickly, coat each apple completely in caramel sauce, tilting the bowl or pan as necessary, then shake off the excess caramel. roll the bottom third of each apple in the decorations. set on the prepared cookie sheet until the caramel sets, about 10 minutes.

makes 6 caramel apples