Imagine sinking your teeth into a delicious caramel apple on a crisp Fall day. It’s a classic treat that embodies the season perfectly. But let’s face it, traditional caramel apples can be a bit tricky to eat, not to mention the sticky mess they leave behind. That’s where this recipe steps in to save the day, giving you all the flavors of a caramel apple but in a much easier-to-eat form. Introducing: Caramel Apple Bark! It’s a delightful blend of sweet chocolate, crunchy pretzels, tart Granny Smith apples, and luscious caramel sauce—a treat fit for Halloween and beyond!
There’s just something magical about caramel apples, don’t you think? The crispness of the apple, the sweetness of the caramel, and if you’re like me, the addition of chocolate just takes it to a whole new level.
Now, let’s gather our ingredients:
Caramel Apple Bark
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 20-25 pretzels
- 1 green Granny Smith apple
- 1/2 cup of caramel sauce you can use store-bought or try my homemade date-sweetened caramel!
Date Sweetened Caramel:
- 1 1/2 cups Medjool Dates softened and pitted (about 16 dates)
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 cup Coconut Oil melted
- 1 cup Milk of Choice warmed
Instructions
- Ready to whip up this delightful treat? Here’s how:
- Start by melting the chocolate chips and coconut oil together until smooth. You can do this in the microwave or using a double boiler on the stove.
- While the chocolate is melting, chop the apple into small pieces and set aside.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the melted chocolate evenly on top. Reserve some chocolate for drizzling later.
- Arrange the pretzels in rows on top of the chocolate, followed by the chopped apple pieces.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the bark, then drizzle the reserved chocolate on top. For an extra touch, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over everything.
- Pop the baking sheet into the freezer and let the bark chill until the chocolate is solid, which should take about an hour.
- Once it’s firm, break the bark into pieces and indulge! Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month. Enjoy your easy-to-eat caramel apple bark! 🍏
Date Sweetened Caramel:
- Begin by softening and pitting your dates. Remove the pits and soak the dates in boiling water for 30 minutes. Then, drain the water off. If your dates are already softened and pitted, you can skip this step!
- Place the dates in a food processor or high-speed blender along with the sea salt, vanilla extract, melted coconut oil, and 3/4 cup of the warm milk.
- Blend or process until the mixture is smooth with no chunks of dates. You might need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times to ensure everything is well mixed. It may take a bit of time, but the result will be worth it!
- Once the mixture is smooth and well combined, add the remaining 1/4 cup of warm milk and blend/process until the caramel reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve your delicious caramel alongside your favorite fruit, oatmeal, or toast, and enjoy! Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.