1/2 c. butter
2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
dash of salt
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
10 to 14 apples
1 c. salted chopped peanuts (optional)

In sauce pan, melt butter. Add brown sugar, corn syrup & salt. Cook over medium heat; stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a full boil (10 to 12 minutes). Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Continue cooking; stirring occasionally, until candy thermometer reaches 245°F or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms into a firm ball (20 to 25 minutes). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Dip apples in caramel mixture. Dip end of apples into chopped peanuts. Place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until firm (10 minutes).