6 med. apples
6 Popsicle sticks
6 tbsp. chopped nuts
1 pkg. (14 oz. or about 49 pieces) caramels
2 tbsp. hot water
1/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate pieces

Wash and dry apples. Push a Popsicle stick into stem-end of each apple. On waxed paper, make 6 even mounds of chopped nut (making sure the mounds do not touch).

In bottom part of double boiler, heat 1 inch of water to boiling. Place caramels, hot water and chocolate pieces in top of double boiler. Set over the boiling water and stir until caramels and chocolate are melted. Remove double boiler from heat keeping top part over boiling water. With knife or spatula, spread apples with caramel mixture. Place each caramel-coated apple on a mound of nuts. If desired, sprinkle any remaining nuts around sticks. Note: If caramel mixture hardens while spreading on apples, place double boiler back over heat and bring water to a boil again.