Caramel Apple Bar

Start your Fall holiday party off right with this DIY Caramel Apple Bar. It’s an easy and fun dessert for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and any day in between!

A classic caramel apple always remind me of fall. Don’t get me wrong, I love candied apples too. That shiny red coating is amazing but it is a little hard to eat without making a mess. That’s why I prefer this DIY caramel apple bar.

It’s quick to put together and is so much easier to make than the traditional caramel apples and easier to share.

Plus, they are easy to eat, add your favorite sprinkles and candies, and don’t leave you with candy toppings all over your face.

Spread out the sliced apples on a platter, add various toppings and dips to decorative containers, and enjoy!

This delicious dessert station is one that everyone will love, and make your fall parties even easier. Serve it along with Caramel Apple Nachos, Caramel Apple Dip, and Caramel Apple Empanadas!

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Ingredients Needed

Apples – I like to use apples varieties that are more on the tart side to balance out the sweetness of the caramel and toppings. My favorites are Granny Smith, McIntosh, and Honeycrisp but feel free to use your favorites.

Chocolate Melts – Use a combination of white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate.

Caramel Dip – You can find this dip in the produce section by the apples any time of the year. Marzetti is my favorite brand.

Toppings – Grab any of your favorite candies and toppings like chopped nuts, mini chips, cereal, and cookies.

Lemon – Lime Soda – You can substitute lemon juice and water to keep the apples from browning while serving.

Lollipop Sticks – You can also use old fashioned popsicle sticks.

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How to Set up a Caramel Apple Bar

First: Cut each apple into 8 wedges and put in a large bowl of lemon-lime soda to keep them from turning brown. When ready to serve, pat them dry with a paper towel.

Second: Poke a lollipop stick into each apple wedge being careful not to break the apple.

Third: Add each of the assorted toppings to individual bowls. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, stirring occasionally, until completely melted.

Fourth: Place the apple wedges on a large tray and add the individual bowls of caramel, chocolates, and assorted toppings. Enjoy making your favorite combinations!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Why is the caramel not sticking to the apple?

There are a couple of reasons the caramel may not be sticking to the apple.

• Your apple needs to be VERY dry prior to dipping. Be sure to blot off an extra moisture with a paper towel prior to dipping in the sauce.
• Be sure the caramel is not too hot. If it’s too hot, it will immediately drip off. Caramel sauce should be hot enough that it’s smooth enough to evenly coat the apple when dipped but not so hot that it’s super runny.
• The outside of apples have a natural wax coating. And actually, most apples bought at the grocer will be sprayed with an extra wax to make them look more appealing. Remove this coating by washing the apples before you cut them.

Check out all my fun Fall appetizers, Fall cocktails, and Fall desserts. If you want something specific to Halloween, these Spooky Foods are my favorites!

Favorite Caramel Apple Toppings

Nuts: Peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and pistachios. Be sure to chop them small for easier eating.

Candy: Chocolate chips, sprinkles, crushed candy bars, toffee bits, marshmallows, Reese’s pieces, butterscotch chips, caramel sauce.

Snacks: Pretzels, granola, potato chips, peanut butter, Nutella, crushed Oreos, crushed graham crackers, caramel corn.

Fruit: Shredded coconut, dried cherries, dried cranberries, honey.

What apple is best for dipping in caramel?

The best apples to use to make caramel apples are the same apples you’d use when making apple pie filling. Firm apples with a sweet-tart profile.

Generally, Granny Smiths, Honeycrisps, Pink Lady’s, Pippins or Jonagold fit this flavor profile and will be the best apples for dipping!

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• Keep your chocolate and caramel soft by placing the bowls in a crockpot on low.
• Use different shapes and sizes of bowls or cups and add whatever toppings you prefer.
• Have a cup for the sticks, or you can put the sticks in the apples and have them standing in a cup.
• Feel free to use a muffin tin to keep all the toppings in one place.
• Pre-make a few apples so everyone can see what to do.
• Dipping the apples in sprite or a little bit of lemon juice helps keep them from getting brown. The citric acid is the main ingredient doing this work.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Make your own DIY caramel apple bar for your next party. It is perfect for kids of all ages and makes celebrating fall even more fun!

{Originally published 09/22/21 – recipe notes updated 08/06/24}

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