DIY Caramel Apple Bar

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If you ask me, there’s nothing more fall than apples and nothing more nostalgic than homemade caramel apples. Forget what you know about how to make caramel apples… this DIY caramel apple toppings board is a super easy, fun way to serve apples as a snack, app, or dessert for all your fall party needs. The best part? The toppings are totally customizable–Halloween? Use themed sprinkles! Game night? Throw in some crumbled bacon for a sweet and savory spin. 

For more festive ideas, try my Fall Dessert Board, Fall Harvest Board, Elevated Fall Cheese Board, Fall Burrata Board, Trader Joe’s Halloween Board, Halloween Candy Board, Pumpkin Cheese Ball, and all my other Boards with Gourds posts.

How to Make DIY Candy Apples

Ingredients

• Large apples, cored and cut into ½-inch thick slices

• Caramel, store-bought or homemade (check out this recipe!)

• Seasonal sprinkles

• Mini marshmallows

• Mini M&Ms

• Reese’s Pieces

• Butterscotch chips

• Fruit loops

• Gummy worms

• Cereal marshmallows

Put it All Together

• Add toppings to individual bowls. Insert skewers into the bottoms of every apple slice.

• Warm your caramel according to the package instructions or make your caramel and transfer to a bowl.

• Place the caramel in the center of the board, then add the other bowls of toppings to opposite corners or in a circle around the caramel.

• Add apple skewers to the empty sections of the board and voila! 

Note: If you don’t use the caramel quickly, it may harden! Be prepared to warm it back up by microwaving it on high power for about 1 minute, stirring at least twice.

Best Apples for Caramel Apples

You can use any apple you like, but here are the fan favorites:

• Granny Smith, for their tartness

• Fuji, for their firmness

• Honeycrisp, for their sweetness

Pro tip: Learn how to keep the apples from browning here! 

Other Caramel Apple Topping Ideas

Fancy different flavors? Have at it! Here are some ideas:

• Chocolate drizzle

• Yogurt chips

• Shredded coconuts

• Chopped walnuts

• Cookie crumbles

• Candied bacon

• Sliced almonds

• Toffee

• Flaky salt

Show Me Your Boards

I hope this post inspires you to make this spread. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful snacks and apps you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.