The Wollongong businesswoman has turned the humble Granny Smith apple into an indulgent sweet treat and culinary work of art.

She creates the gourmet goodies by hand-dipping the apples in a soft salted caramel coating, and then decorating them with piped chocolate and confectionery.

They are nothing like the school fete toffee apple with which Australians are perhaps more familiar.

Ms Tominez, who makes the caramel apples under her business name Karen Lee's Kitchen, says it's the combination of tart, crisp apple and the richness of the handmade creamy caramel that creates the palate sensation.

The caramel apples, and associated caramel products, are made at Ms Tominez's Wollongong home.

The apple has proved to be a versatile base - the caramel apple range includes rocky road, triple chocolate, rainbow Smarties, Raffaello and even Milo. One of her most inventive caramel apples was the deluxe "movie" creation, dipped in soft salted caramel and topped with caramel popcorn, Maltesers and a drizzle of chocolate.

Karen Lee's Kitchen, which started 12 months ago, has been a favourite for Illawarra market-goers. Her products are regularly available at Wollongong's Eat Street Market, Bulli's Foragers Markets, Coledale Markets and Kiama Farmers Market.

"I saw caramel apples in North America a couple of years ago," Ms Tominez said.

"I couldn't find them when I came back home and I have always loved making sweets. I started making them and I got a bit obsessive about it and ended up with way too many for my family and friends, so I thought I would give the markets a shot.

"It's been going really well."