My mom's gourmet caramel apples are my favorite Halloween treat but they can be a hassle to make. I prefer to do a caramel apple bar instead because it's super simple and you can enjoy a variety of flavor combinations. What could be simpler than caramel apple slices on a stick dipped in all kinds of fun toppings?
If you're hosting a party this Halloween, or really any time of the year, I highly recommend setting up an apple bar with all your favorite sweet dips and toppings.
While you're at it, this easy Halloween charcuterie board is the perfect pairing if you want some salty snacks to go with your sweets.
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🧐 What Is A Caramel Apple Bar?
An apple bar typically consists of sliced apples on a stick dipped in caramel, chocolate, or other various sweet dips, and topped with all kinds of fun candies and treats.
This deconstructed approach to caramel apples is not only delicious and easy to prepare but so fun to eat, especially for kids! There are endless dip & topping combinations to explore, so every bite can offer something completely different.
🍫 What Do You Typically Include In An Apple Bar?
Caramel is probably the most obvious inclusion in any caramel apple bar, but that's just the beginning! You can also include various sweet dips such as melted chocolate, fruit dips, and your favorite syrups.
Don't forget about the toppings! This is where the real fun begins. Play around with various candies, cookies, sprinkles, and more.
🍯 Dips
Caramel is an absolute must, but it doesn't have to be the only sweet dip! I also used a dark chocolate dip, but here are some more ideas:
- Chocolate dips: Chocolate syrup, white chocolate dip, Nutella
- Butter spreads: Peanut butter, cookie butter (this Biscoff butter is my favorite)
- Salted Caramel Sauce: You can purchase caramel sauce or make this delicious salted caramel sauce instead
- Other dips: Sweet yogurt fruit dip, cinnamon roll cream cheese dip, berry syrup, maple syrup, or this super decadent caramel-topped pumpkin cream cheese dip
🍬 Caramel Apple Toppings
This is the fun part! I recommend choosing a few items from each category below, but it's really up to you. The possibilities are endless!
- Candy: Toffee bits, m&ms, chocolate chips, nerds, gummy bears, mini marshmallows, candy corn
- Cookies: Crushed graham crackers, Oreos, shortbread cookies
- Something salty: Crushed peanuts, pretzels, coarse salt, shelled sunflower seeds
- Other toppings: Crumbled brownie brittle, coconut shavings, praline pecans, sprinkles, cereal, dried cranberries
🍏 Apples & Dippers
When it comes to making caramel apples you obviously can't go wrong with Granny Smith apples, but why stop there? There's a whole world of tasty dippers to accompany those green apples! I recommend trying:
- Apples: Honeycrisp, golden delicious, gala, pink lady, Jonagold, Fuji
- Fruits: Pears, strawberries, bananas
- Other: Pretzels, cookies
🤷🏻♀️ FAQs
When making caramel apples (or in this case, sliced caramel apples on a stick), you want to use something sturdy. I like to use bamboo sticks, but you can also use popsicle sticks, craft sticks, or plastic sticks made specifically for caramel apples.
All you need to do for the perfect caramel apple bar is gather and assemble bowls of various ingredients from each of the following categories:
- Apple slices
- Caramel & other sweet dips
- Toppings (candies, crumbled cookies, sprinkles, dried fruit, etc.)
Use a skewer or your hands to grab and dunk your apple slices and then coat them with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
When it comes to caramel apple bar toppings the possibilities are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:
- toffee bits
- m&ms
- chocolate chips
- crushed peanuts
- nerds
- crumbled brownie brittle
- gummy bears
- mini marshmallows
- sprinkles
- coconut shavings
- candy corn
- cereal
- crushed graham crackers
- Oreos
- shortbread cookies
- pretzels
- coarse salt
- shelled sunflower seeds
- praline pecans
- dried cranberries
To keep your apple slices from browning while you're enjoying your caramel apple bar you can spray them with a little bit of lemon juice or soak them in salt water for five minutes. These methods will keep your apples from turning brown, but I would recommend enjoying them within two hours of slicing for optimal freshness.
Can't get your fill of apples? Then you'll definitely want to try these yummy microwave cinnamon apples from Gena at GingerCasa.com!
👩🏻🍳 Pro Tips
- You may want to include small spoons in each topping bowl to keep the toppings free from contamination.
- I like to include at least 2-3 different apple varieties.
- You may need to reheat your caramel and/or chocolate dips periodically to keep them from solidifying, so I recommend serving them in heat-resistant bowls.
🍎 Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
How To Make A Simple Caramel Apple Bar
Ingredients
- 4 Granny Smith apples
- 4 honeycrisp apples
- 8 oz caramel dip
- 8 oz chocolate dip
- ¼ cup nerds
- ¼ cup toffee bits
- ¼ cup mini m&ms
- ¼ cup crushed peanuts
- ¼ cup candy corn
- ¼ cup coconut shavings
- ¼ cup brownie brittle
- ¼ cup praline pecans
Instructions
- Cut apples into slices. Serve immediately, or spray with a little lemon juice and store in a ziplck bag for up to 2 hours before serving.
- Set out bowls of dips and toppings.
- Use skewers to dunk apple slices in your sweet dips and then coat with toppings.
Notes
- You may want to include small spoons in each topping bowl to keep the toppings free from contamination.
- I like to include at least 2-3 different apple varieties.
- You may need to reheat your caramel and/or chocolate dips periodically to keep them from solidifying, so I recommend serving them in heat-resistant bowls.
Kelly Methey says
This is a great idea! I love this easy way to get my chocolate, caramel apple fix. This is a perfect party idea or even good for a fall night in.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Kelly, enjoy!