These adorable caramel apple slices are easy to eat and fun for the whole family to make. Crisp apples, chewy caramel, and any festive topping you can imagine.
This post for Easy Caramel Apple Slices first appeared over at Eazy Peazy Mealz where I was a contributor. This post was updated on August 25, 2021.
Caramel apples just scream Fall, but….I actually hate eating them. They are so big and messy and rarely can I actually finish an entire caramel apple.
Caramel apple slices are the answer! Easy to grab and eat for me and the kids, plus they are super fun to make with your family. Caramel apple slices also make a great party dish or a fun treat for friends, I’ll even share a magic trick to keep the apples from browning too quickly.
I like a very tart apple since the caramel and other toppings are so sweet. Granny Smith’s are my favorite for baking and treat making because they are tart and sturdy. The apples I bought were seriously gigantic so I only used three for this whole recipe!
What you’ll need for making caramel apples slices:
- Granny Smith Apples: I like a very tart apple since the caramel and other toppings are so sweet. Granny Smith’s are my favorite for baking and treat making because they are tart and sturdy. The apples I bought were seriously gigantic so I only used three for this whole recipe!
- Lemon juice: This will help to prevent browning on the cut apple slices for up to a few hours.
- Caramel: You can use either caramel bits or individually wrapped caramels like I did. If you are using individually wrapped caramels, be sure they are fresh! If they are stale or old the caramel will be extremely tough after it is melted. If you aren’t sure, just get the caramel bits! They are easier than unwrapping all those caramels anyways. 🙂
- Heavy cream: This is what will help to make the caramel the perfect consistency and creamy rich as we melt them down together until smooth.
- Optional Topping Ideas: You can melt some chocolate and almond bark for making fun designs on the caramel apple slices. This is where your creativity can run wild! Holiday-themed sprinkles are also a fun addition. When are sprinkles not a fun addition?! I used some of these same sprinkles on my pumpkin sugar cookies this week, they are so fun!
Tips for making caramel apple slices recipe
You can make your own caramel sauce if desired
If you are feeling super fancy and want to make your own caramel sauce, do it! It’s actually super easy. My friend Marlee over at I Just Make Sandwiches has a great Facebook Live video all about it if you need more details.
Leftover apples can be used for seasonal treats
Seriously, using some apples to make these adorable Mummy Apple Hand Pies would be awesome. They’re SO CUTE!
Easy tip for getting the dip to last long enough
If you are decorating with multiple people, it can take a while to get all the slices done and some of the toppings will start to solidify. To keep this from happening, I simply fill a large baking dish with a few inches of hot tap water and place the topping containers in it. This is called a “water bath” and will keep everything nice and warm and melted.
Want to make these as gifts?
If you want to deliver these cute treats to friends or bring them to a party, just brush the exposed apple with a little lemon juice and they will stay fresh for a few hours! No browning. I wouldn’t keep them overnight though. Since the apples are cut the moisture from the inside of the fruit will evaporate and cause the caramel to slide.
Another great idea- put it on a stick!
What better way to serve a possibly messy treat than by making it more shareable and portable. By making caramel apple slices on a stick, you can hand them out like lollipops and save yourself from cleaning messy kid fingers later. Although, you’ll probably still have some cleaning to do because kids are naturally good at mess making haha.
I also melted some chocolate and almond bark for making fun designs on the caramel apple slices. This is where your creativity can run wild! Holiday-themed sprinkles are also a fun addition. When are sprinkles not a fun addition?! I used some of these same sprinkles on my pumpkin sugar cookies this week, they are so fun!
If you are decorating with multiple people, it can take a while to get all the slices done and some of the toppings will start to solidify. To keep this from happening, I simply fill a large baking dish with a few inches of hot tap water and place the topping containers in it. This is called a “water bath” and will keep everything nice and warm and melted.
How to Make Caramel Apple Slices
- Slice your apples into 1 inch sized slices and toss in some lemon juice. Pat them dry with a paper towel and let them rest on the paper towels while you prepare the caramel dip. Wet apples will cause the dip to slide right off and not stick, so you want them as dry as you can get them.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine the caramels and cream. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. This could take a few minutes.
- Dip your apple slices into the caramel and allow the excess to drip off before placing them onto a parchment lined baking sheet to set and cool.
- Repeat until all apple slices have been coated.
- Let the caramel set and trim off the excess caramel that slides off when you pick them up.
- See the recipe card for more topping ideas and suggestions.
Why won’t the caramel stick to my apples?
- The caramel is going to loosen on the apples as they sit because they will sweat. Ensuring that your apple slices are very dry before coating them in caramel is going to help.
- Another option is to dip the apples in boiling water before slicing them. This will melt the natural wax on the peel and help the caramel stick.
- If you’re making homemade caramel, making it a stickier consistency will also help it stick to the apples.
More favorites from Longbourn Farm
Easy Caramel Apple Slices on a Stick
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Caramel Apples
- 5 Granny Smith apples medium sized, room temperature
- 1 lemon juiced
- 11 ounces caramel see note
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Optional Toppings
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips milk chocolate
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 squares white almond bark
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- colored sprinkles
Instructions
For the Caramel Apples
- Slice Apples away from the core into 1-inch slices.
- Toss with lemon juice and pat dry with a paper towel and let sti while you prepare the caramel.
- Combine caramels and cream in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each one until microwave-safe (see note). This may take a few minutes.
- Dip the slices into the caramel, letting the excess drip off. Place on a lined baking sheet to set.
- Repeat until all the slices are coated in caramel.
- Let the caramel set, you will have to trim the excess caramel off the sides when you pick them up.
Optional Toppings
- Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon oil in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until melted.
- Melt milk chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon oil in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until melted.
- Melt white almond bark in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until melted.
- Drizzle over caramel-coated apple slices in any design you like!
- Dust with sprinkles or chopped nuts.
Jenn says
What kind of cream for the Carmel apples?
Alli says
Hi Jenn, it’s heavy cream.
Genny says
My granddaughter tried this and the caramel would not stay on the apple. What did she do wrong?
Alli says
Hi Genny, it’s really important to dry the apples before dipping.
Anonymous says
Could it be due to the wax on the apples?
Alli says
Yes, this can happen sometimes too.
Alli says
Such a fun Fall treat to make with kids!