Caramel Apple Slices are the easiest way to enjoy this classic fall treat! Start with chocolate covered apple slices (the key to preventing sliding caramel). Then drizzle generously with rich, creamy caramel and sprinkle with your favorite toppings. For more festive flair, check out our ideas to make fall-themed or Halloween caramel apple slices.
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You know what’s better than an entire caramel apple? Caramel apple slices! They are essentially chocolate covered apple slices with a generous helping of gooey caramel and tasty toppings. YUM, right??
There are plenty of favorite fall treats this time of year. Candy apples, homemade caramel apples, Apple Pie Dessert Biscuits or a classic Apple Crisp, to name a few. But if you’re going for a simple no-bake dessert that still makes a statement, this recipe is for you.
🏅 Why this recipe is great
- It's an easy recipe to make and eat (without caramel all over your face 😜)
- No sliding caramel! We solve this notorious problem by dipping the apples in chocolate first, then adding caramel.
- Great option for serving to a crowd.
- So much fun to decorate! Below we listed our favorite toppings for fall and Halloween caramel apple slices.
- Make them into caramel apple slices on a stick with a lollipop or popsicle stick.
🍎 Ingredients for caramel apple slices
- Whole apples: Use firm, crisp apples without any soft spots. Tart apples are best because they balances the sweetness of the caramel. Granny smith, honeycrisp, fuji, or gala apples would be good.
- Chocolate wafers: Melting wafers are ideal for chocolate dipped apple slices because they set up firmly once cooled. Don’t substitute chocolate chips - it won’t hold up the same and may slide off the apples.
- Caramel bits or squares: Use fresh caramels (not those bags in the pantry from last October 😬). The melted caramels will be easier to work with if they're fresh.
- Heavy cream: Just a bit goes a long way in making a smooth caramel sauce.
- Toppings: Go crazy here! We have a whole list of different toppings to try down below.
🔪 How to make caramel apple slices
This is a condensed version of the instructions. For full instructions, please see the recipe card.
Dip apples in chocolate
For the best results, pat the apple slices really dry with paper towels. Many people coat them in a little lemon juice first, but I don't like the flavor and find it uneccesary.
Once dry, dip them ¾ high in the melted chocolate, allow the excess to drip, and wipe the back of the apple on the edge of the bowl (so they don’t stick to the sheet pan). Lay the apples clean side down on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set completely.
Prep toppings
Now’s the time to melt the white chocolate drizzle and chop any large toppings (candy bars, Oreos, nuts, etc).
Drizzle in caramel
Once the apples are set, melt half the caramel until it’s a thick, creamy, and smooth caramel sauce. Working with half of the apples, generously drizzle the caramel across the slices.
Add toppings
Working quickly, add the white chocolate drizzle and toppings on top, then let the caramel set. Melt the next round of caramel and repeat with the second half of the apples.
🥜 Toppings
There are tons of caramel apple toppings that you could use here. You can do a theme (i.e. Fall, candy, cereals, etc) or you can do a mix of everything. Here is a list of ideas to get you started.
- White chocolate drizzle (see notes in the recipe card for recipe)
- Peanut butter drizzle
- Chopped nuts - peanuts, pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts
- Mini chocolate chips (milk chocolate or dark chocolate)
- Shredded coconut
- Chopped candy - snickers, butterfinger, heath, m&ms
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed Oreos
- Cereal - Fruity Pebbles, Fruit Loops, Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- Sprinkles - There are so many options to use, but here are a few fun ideas you can get on Amazon. Check your local grocery or party stores too.
- Fall Leaves Sprinkles (affiliate)
- Autumn Accents Sprinkles (affiliate)
- Pumpkin Carriage Sprinkles (affiliate)
- Jimmie Sprinkles (affiliate)
🎃 How to make Halloween caramel apples slices
For a cute Halloween twist, make monster caramel apple slices. Start with chocolate covered apple slices (cover the whole apple instead of just ¾). Once set, add the caramel drizzle and a white chocolate “zombie” drizzle half way up the slices. Then add one or two monster eyes and some fun Halloween sprinkles.
We used these monster eyes sprinkles (affiliate) and assorted colored sprinkles and jimmies. Black, white, dark purple, lime green, and orange make great Halloween colors.
👨👩👧👦 For a crowd
This makes a fun treat to serve at a fall festival, pumpkin carving party, or similar event. They get great reactions from a crowd and spread much further than full caramel apples. I recommend serving them within a few hours of making for best results, and keeping them in the fridge until right before serving.
🙋 Questions and Answers
Any variety is fine, but a tart apple is best because it balances the sweetness of the caramel. Granny Smith apples, honeycrisp apples, and gala or fuji are all good choices.
Apples from the store come with a waxy coating to make them shiny… but caramel and chocolate don't like to stick to wax. A great way to remove the wax is to wash the apples very well under hot water for a few seconds, then scrub them dry with a towel or paper towel.
If you put caramel straight on an apple slice, it will just slide right off. The secret to keeping the caramel from slipping is to start with chocolate covered apple slices. Then drizzle the caramel on the chocolate layer so it has something to stick to.
These are best served the same day they are made. They will last well for 3-4 hours in the fridge, or 1-2 hours sitting out at room temperature. The longer they sit, the more chance they will weep (the juice will start leaking out and soften the candy toppings).
👨🏼🍳 Tips & Tricks
- Cut the apples right before using, then pat them very dry with paper towels before dipping in chocolate.
- Use fresh caramels (not those ones in the pantry from last October).
- Reheating the caramel too much will make it hard to work with and cause it to set up too firm. If you need to reheat it, reheat in 15 second increments on half power.
- Add toppings quickly after the caramel or they won’t stick.
- When removing from the tray, use sharp kitchen scissors to cut away overhanging caramel drizzles. This will give you nice, clean edges!
📖 Great fall recipes
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📋 Recipe
Caramel Apple Slices (no sliding caramel!)
Ingredients
- 4 apples any variety
- 11 oz (about 2 cups) chocolate wafers
- 11 oz caramel bits or squares
- 4 tablespoon heavy cream
Toppings (optional ideas)
- White chocolate drizzle see notes for recipe
- Chopped nuts walnuts, pecans, peanuts, macadamia nuts
- Mini chocolate chips
- Shredded coconut
- Chopped candy bars snickers, butterfinger, heath, m&ms
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed Oreos
- Cereal Fruity Pebbles, Fruit Loops, Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- Sprinkles see post for links to our favorites
Instructions
Chocolate Coating
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Wash apples under hot water briefly, then scrub with paper towel to remove the waxy coating. Dry well.4 apples
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate wafers for 1 minute, then stir well. Continue heating in 30-second increments, stirring in between until completely smooth.11 oz (about 2 cups) chocolate wafers
- Cut apples into ½ inch slices, about 12 slices per apple.
- Pat one apple slice dry with paper towels, then dip ¾ high in the melted chocolate. Allow excess to drip off, then wipe one side clean on the edge of the bowl (see photo in post). Lay the slice clean side down on the prepared baking sheet. Continue dipping remaining apples, drying each slice before dipping. Refrigerate apples until chocolate is set, about 10 minutes.
Prep Toppings
- Meanwhile prepare your toppings. Now is a good time to make the white chocolate drizzle, if desired (see notes for recipe). You can also chop nuts, crush Oreos, etc.
Caramel Topping
- Once apples are set, microwave half the caramels (5.5 oz) and 2 tablespoon heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 30 seconds. Stir, then continue microwaving at half-power in 15 second intervals, stirring in between until the caramel is completely smooth.11 oz caramel bits or squares, 4 tablespoon heavy cream
- Working with half of the apples, drizzle the caramel generously over the chocolate covered parts of the apples (caramel directly on the apple will weep or slide off). Immediately drizzle with white chocolate (if using) and add toppings before the caramel sets. Set aside or refrigerate to set.
- Melt the second half of the caramel and remaining 2 tablespoon of heavy cream like before. Drizzle remaining apple slices and add toppings. Set aside or refrigerate to set.
- These are best served fresh. Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 hours or at room temperature for 1-2 hours. The longer they sit, the more chance they will weep (the juice will start leaking out and soften the candy toppings).
- We love comments! Please come back and leave us one after you’ve tried this recipe.
Notes
- Cut the apples right before using, then pat them very dry with paper towels before dipping in chocolate.
- Use fresh caramels (not those ones in the pantry from last October).
- Reheating the caramel too much will make it hard to work with and cause it to set up too firm. If you need to reheat it, reheat in 15 second increments on half power.
- Add toppings quickly after the caramel or they won’t stick.
- When removing from the tray, use sharp kitchen scissors to cut away overhanging caramel drizzles. This will give you nice, clean edges!
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
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