DIY Caramel Apple Bar

5 from 3 votes

Jump to Recipe

This post contains collections of products that I personally recommend (it may contain affiliate links).

DIY Caramel Apple Bar

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.

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
best apples for caramel apples

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.

easy caramel apple bar

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!

Caramel Apple Bar Recipe

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
DIY caramel apples

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.

5 from 3 votes

Caramel Apple Board

This DIY caramel apple board is perfect for a seasonal dessert or an easy, homemade party app.
Save this recipe!
Enter your email and we’ll send it to you, plus new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients

  • Large apples cored and cut into ½-inch thick slices
  • Caramel store-bought or homemade
  • Seasonal sprinkles
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Mini M&Ms
  • Reese’s Pieces
  • Butterscotch chips
  • Fruit loops
  • Gummy worms
  • Cereal marshmallows

Instructions 

  • 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!
Tried This Recipe? Rate & Review!

Shop the Post

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




5 Reviews

  1. Parita says:

    5 stars
    Looking fwd to making this dessert again this year once cozy apple season starts back up here on the east coast! We made this last Fall for a fun, interactive dessert following an easy week night pizza/salad dinner date w/ my bestie and her husband. Everyone LOVED it. The candy apple skewers are key!

    1. Meg Quinn (Ain't Too Proud To Meg) says:

      wahoooo

  2. Laurie Howard says:

    5 stars
    What a fun activity and treat to do with our grandchildren during our Thanksgiving week visit.
    Cannot go wrong with caramel, apples and candy👍
    Everyone enjoyed it (more than once) 😋

    1. Parita says:

      5 stars
      We made this last Fall for a fun, interactive dessert following an easy week night pizza/salad dinner date w/ my bestie and her husband. We used ready-made salted caramel sauce, chopped peanuts, warm choc sauce and toffee “dust” (blitzed toffee choc in the food processor). Everyone LOVED it. The candy apple skewers are key to keeping the board from getting messy!

      1. Meg Quinn (Ain't Too Proud To Meg) says:

        So happy to hear it! And great tips!!