Whether you call them caramel apples or taffy apples, they are the essence of fall. Home of the caramel apple, Chicago has plenty of places to help you indulge in the sticky goodness of a good apple covered in caramel and peanuts. Read on to find out where you can spoil yourself with this autumn treat.

(credit: Affy Tapple)

Affy Tapple

Their tagline reads “The Original Caramel Apple” because in 1948 Mrs. Edna Kastrup created the United States first caramel apple.  And they still use the same caramel recipe to this day. Their first store was on 7117 Clark St. in Chicago, but they have since moved to their factory store location in Niles. You can also find their apples at Jewel grocery stores and Walgreens.

6300 Gross Point Rd.
Niles, IL 60714
Phone: 847-588-2900
Website: affytapple.com

Andrews Caramel Apples

Andrews is a family owned business located in Chicago that has been making their products fresh daily for 55 years. They offer regular caramel apples, gourmet caramel apples and caramel. You can stop in and buy a single caramel apple for 70 cents or preorder and pick up a case of 24 loose apples for $17.

5001 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL 60641
Phone: 773-286-2224
Website: andrewscaramelapples.com

(credit: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory)

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Located in a variety of locations throughout the Chicagoland area, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has a wide selection of large caramel apples. They start with a crisp green Granny Smith apple and dip it into thick hand made caramel. They then dip it into a variety of toppings ranging from Snickers, toffee, M&Ms, peanuts, pecans and walnuts. Their apples are large enough to share, or slice for a nice dessert after dinner.

50 S. LaGrange Rd.
LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: 708-352-6487
Website: rmcf.com
(And various other Chicagoland locations)

Morkes Chocolates

Morkes has been producing high quality sweets and chocolates since 1920. They make their chocolate confections from scratch with all natural chocolate, pure butter and fresh roasted nuts. They offer a wide range of caramel apples including a sprinkle caramel apple rolled in autumn colored sprinkles, a chocolate Oreo caramel apple made with either a Granny Smith or Red Delicious apple, and a chocolate caramel apple. If you love chocolate and caramel apples, this is your place.

1890 N. Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
Phone: 847-359-3454
Website: morkeschocolates.com

(credit: Sweet Mandy B’s)

Sweet Mandy B’s

‘Tis the season for taffy apples and Sweet Mandy B’s has them. Open since 2002 in Lincoln Park, they offer apples dipped in caramel and covered with nuts, m&m’s, or chocolate.  While you’re there don’t forget to also check out their cakes, cookies, award winning cupcakes, and other special treats.

1208 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-244-1174
Website: sweetmandybs.com

Rachel Azark is a writer and lives on Chicago’s northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.