Introduction

These chocolate covered caramel apple slices are a delightful twist on a classic treat. Crispy apple slices coated in rich chocolate and gooey caramel, topped with fun sprinkles, make for a perfect snack or party dessert. They’re easy to make and sure to impress!

Three round ice cream pops covered with smooth dark chocolate are placed on a white marbled surface. Each pop is decorated differently: the closest one is drizzled with caramel and white chocolate and topped with chopped pecans, adding a crunchy texture; the other two pops are drizzled with caramel and white chocolate and covered in colorful candy pieces, mainly red, green, yellow, blue, orange, and brown. They have wooden sticks extending from the bottom. In the background, a white bowl filled with the same colorful candies and another with chopped nuts sit beside a baking tray holding more decorated pops. Some candy pieces and nuts are scattered around the pops. The overall look is bright, colorful, and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 large Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, washed and dried well
10 ounces milk or dark chocolate melting wafers (such as Ghirardelli)
8 ounces soft caramel squares (1 cup), unwrapped (such as Kraft)
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup complementary variety chocolate melting wafers, optional but recommended
Mini M&M’s, chopped nuts, and/or other assorted small toppings of your choosing

Instructions

Step 1: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
Step 2: Slice each apple from top to bottom into 4 or 5 slices, about 1/2-inch wide. You can go as thick as 3/4-inch, but thicker slices can be harder to eat on a stick. Use a melon baller and a paring knife to remove the stem and carve out any seeds or fibrous core without digging all the way through the slice.
Step 3: Insert a 10 mm wide, food-grade wooden popsicle stick into the center of each apple slice from the bottom, pushing it halfway into the fruit. If needed, make a small slit with the paring knife before inserting the stick.
Step 4: Melt the milk or dark chocolate wafers using a double boiler or microwave according to package directions. Pat the apple slices very dry with paper towels before dipping. Dip each slice into the chocolate just past where the stick meets the fruit and allow excess chocolate to drip off.
Step 5: Place the dipped apple slices on the prepared sheet pan in a single layer without touching. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes until the chocolate sets.
Step 6: Meanwhile, place the caramel squares and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.
Step 7: If using extra chocolate for drizzling, melt these wafers as well. Let both the caramel and extra chocolate cool until warm but still fluid enough to drizzle without melting the chocolate coating.
Step 8: Drizzle the caramel over the chocolate-coated apple slices, then drizzle with the extra chocolate if using. Immediately sprinkle with your choice of toppings. Refrigerate for another 10-15 minutes until set.
Step 9: Serve the apple slices the same day, within a few hours of assembly for best flavor and texture. Keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.

Tips & Variations

Using tart apples like Granny Smith balances the sweetness of chocolate and caramel for a perfect flavor combination.
Try adding crushed pretzels or toasted coconut as toppings for extra crunch and flavor.
If your apple slices are too wet, dry them thoroughly to ensure the chocolate adheres better.
You can skip the extra chocolate drizzle if you prefer a simpler look or fewer layers.
For a festive touch, use colored sprinkles or holiday-themed mini candies.

Storage

Store the chocolate covered caramel apple slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best enjoyed the day they are made, within a few hours of assembly, as the apple slices will lose their crispness over time. Do not assemble the caramel apples for overnight storage before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows several chocolate popsicles on wooden sticks, each coated with a dark chocolate layer. On top of the chocolate, there are two different kinds of drizzle: one light brown and one white, creating thin stripes over the popsicles. The popsicle in the front center is decorated with chopped pecans, and the other popsicles are sprinkled with colorful candy-coated chocolates in red, green, yellow, blue, and orange. Some of the candies and nut pieces are scattered around the popsicles on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a white tray holding more popsicles and two small white bowls filled with candies and nuts. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples?

Yes, you can use any firm apple variety you like. Tart apples such as Granny Smith or sweet ones like Honeycrisp work great, but avoid very soft or mealy apples as they won’t hold up well.

How do I prevent the caramel and chocolate from melting together?

Allow both the caramel and additional chocolate drizzle to cool to a warm but not hot temperature before applying. If they are too hot, they can run together and melt the chocolate coating on the apples.