Caramel Apple Bar

Get into the Fall spirit with our easy-peasy Caramel Apple Bar guide. We’ve got the best dips, favorite toppings, and a sneaky trick to keep those apples looking fresh and crisp all evening long! Whether it’s a relaxed autumn night, a party, shower, or just ’cause you feel like it, this dessert station is a hit every single time! 

The Ultimate Caramel Apple Bar Guide

Over the years, I’ve curated a Caramel Apple Bar for dozens of events – from bridal and baby showers to birthday bashes, Girls’ nights in, to fun family evenings. This customizable dessert station consistently steals the show at every gathering.

The best part? Everyone can jazz up their apples their way, whether they’re feeling super indulgent or want to keep it on the lighter side. Plus, for anyone with dietary needs, it’s a dream – just pick what you like and skip what you don’t.

Alright, so here’s the deal: I’m gonna spill all my “secrets” on how to make the most amazing caramel apple bar ever! We’re talking the best (and easiest) dips, the tastiest toppings, and some killer tricks to keep those dips warm and the apples fresh. So, let’s get to it!

Caramel Apple Bar Supplies Needed

Alright, before we dive into the deliciousness of the Caramel Apple Bar, we gotta gear up! Here’s a fun breakdown of what you’ll need:

• Jars: Wide-mouth Mason Jars – to store your dipping sauces. It’s important to get wide-mouth jars so it’s easy to dip apples into the sauce.
• Hot Tub for Sauces: 6-quart Crock-Pot – we fill it up halfway with water, turn it on high, and be amazed as it keeps the sauces warm and gooey! 
• Toppings Galore: Muffin Pan with liners – or, if you’re feeling fancy, grab some miniature bowls. This is for all toppings!
• Apple Prep Station: A big ol’ bowl for the salt water trick, and a trusty knife for slicing and dicing.
• Serving Up Style: Skewers or toothpicks – to make dipping and munching a breeze.
• Labels or Signs (Optional): Maybe some cute labels or signs to let folks know what each sauce and topping is. Throw in some festive decor if you’re feeling it!
• Nut Grinder (Optional): I love to process a lot of the toppings in a spice or nut grinder. This nut grinder is my favorite tool when preparing the toppings for this Caramel Apple Bar! It’ll quickly chop up cookies, nuts and seeds, and candies in a whiz.

And there you have it! Grab these supplies, and you’re on your way to hosting the most epic Caramel Apple Bar ever.

The Trick to Prevent Apples from Turning Brown

You might be wondering, with all the cut apples at a Caramel Apple Bar, how do we prevent them from turning that unappetizing brown? Well, after some meticulous research and a few experiments, we’re here to share the magic solution: salted water.

But, before I lose you…no, they don’t taste like salt, I promise!

Here’s the foolproof method:

1. Prepare the Salt Solution: For every cup of cool or room temperature tap water, mix in 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt. This blend is the secret behind the anti-browning magic.
2. Soak the Apples: Submerge your freshly sliced apples in the salt solution, letting them soak for about 5-10 minutes.
3. Rinse Well: After their brief soak, drain the apples in a colander and give the slices a good rinse under running tap water. This ensures no residual saltiness remains.

The result? Even after an astonishing 8 hours at room temperature, these apple slices retain their crisp freshness, devoid of any hint of browning. You can even store these salt-treated apple slices in the fridge overnight, and the next day they are still perfection!

Using this simple apple and salt trick, your Caramel Apple Bar will have the freshest and most appetizing apple slices!

Our Favorite Dipping Sauces

Ready to dip into some saucy goodness? Here are our top 5 picks:

1. Classic Caramel: The undeniable champ of apple dips. Silky, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Here’s a tip: Go for store-bought Werther’s soft caramels. They whip up into the dreamiest (and easiest!) caramel sauce you’ll ever taste!
2. Choco-mania: Choices, choices! From creamy white and classic milk chocolate to the richness of semi-sweet and dark, there’s something for every chocoholic. I personally always do white and milk chocolate.
3. Butterscotch Bliss: There’s something magical about the combo of butterscotch and apples. For a fuss-free dip, grab some butterscotch morsels from the baking aisle. Easy and delish!
4. PB-Choco Duo: Ever tried these Nestle peanut butter and chocolate baking morsels? They’re a game changer for any caramel apple bar. And if you’re a PB fanatic like me, add in an extra scoop of peanut butter to that melted mix for a stronger peanut butter flavor.

QUICK TIP

Remember: the quality of your chocolate chips plays a big role. Go for the good stuff! The richer and more premium your chocolate chips are, the tastier and more indulgent your dipping sauces will turn out.

The Best Caramel Apple Bar Toppings

Ready to elevate those dipped apples? Here’s our handpicked selection of the best toppings:

1. Tropical Vibes: Coconut flakes – choose between sweetened or unsweetened. Got a few extra minutes? Toasting them brings out an amazing depth of flavor!
2. The Berry Bunch: Raisins, Craisins, and dried tart cherries. These tiny gems offer a sweet-tart kick. Pro tip: Give them a quick chop first!
3. Crunch Time: Pepitas, aka pumpkin seeds, are a must-add. They bring crunch, a hint of salt, and totally channel those Fall vibes. Not just pepitas though! Crushed pecans, pistachios, or cashews? They’re all a win.
4. Sweet Tooth Central: Now for the good stuff: Heath bar bits, toffee bits, and mini chocolate chips. Heaven!
5. Party Sprinkles: Because no dessert station is complete without some color!
6. Cookie Monster’s Favorites: Crushed Oreos, Graham Crackers, and Nilla Wafers. Total crowd-pleasers!
7. Salty Surprise: Crushed pretzels – bringing that perfect salty kick to balance out the sweetness.

QUICK TIP

Be aware of common allergens like nuts. Keep them away from other toppings and label clearly.

Caramel Apple Bar Tips

• Prep Ahead: Slice and treat those apples a couple hours before the event (using the salt-water trick we talked about earlier). Keep them in an airtight bag or container in the fridge, and they’ll still be fresh and crisp when it’s showtime.
• Tart vs. Sweet Apples: Balance your dips and toppings by offering a mix of tart and sweet apples. Tart apples like Granny Smith pair well with super-sweet dips, while sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp complement slightly bitter dips like dark chocolate.
• Apple Texture Matters: Choose apples that are firm and crisp. Soft or mealy apples can fall apart during dipping. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Jonagold are known for their firm textures.
• Apple Alternatives: Consider offering pear slices or even banana slices. 
• Keep It Warm: Dips tend to thicken and even harden as they cool. Use a crockpot to keep sauces warm and easily dippable. Remember to give them a quick stir every now and then.
• Set Up Strategy: Organize your bar in a logical flow – start with apples and skewers, followed by dips, and then toppings. This way, guests move smoothly along the line without backtracking.
• Feedback Fun: Set up a little board or notepad for guests to jot down their favorite topping combos. You might discover a new fan-favorite mix!

QUICK TIP

Apple Flavor Profiles:

• Granny Smith: Tart and tangy. These green apples are a classic choice for caramel dipping.
• Fuji: Sweet and juicy with a hint of tartness. Great with darker chocolates.
• Honeycrisp: Super crisp with a balanced sweetness. Pairs well with almost any dip.
• Braeburn: A balance of sweet and tart, with a firm texture. Great with peanut butter.
• Golden Delicious: Mellow and sweet, great with robust flavors like butterscotch.
• Red Delicious: Sweet and slightly floral. Pairs well with almost any dip.

More Fun Apple Recipes:

• Apple Smoothie with vanilla protein powder
• Apple Bread Recipe with grated apples
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake with a graham cracker crust
• Apple Crumble with extra crumble topping!
• Apple Nachos with lots of ideas!

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Caramel Apple Bar

5 from 3 votes

- Review this recipe

Get into the Fall spirit with our easy-peasy Caramel Apple Bar guide. We've got the best dips, favorite toppings, and a sneaky trick to keep those apples looking fresh and crisp all evening long! Whether it's a relaxed autumn night, a party, shower, or just 'cause you feel like it, this dessert station is a hit every single time! 

SAVE TO RECIPE BOX

Print Recipe

Caramel Apple Bar

5 from 3 votes

- Review this recipe

SAVE TO RECIPE BOX

Print Recipe

Get into the Fall spirit with our easy-peasy Caramel Apple Bar guide. We've got the best dips, favorite toppings, and a sneaky trick to keep those apples looking fresh and crisp all evening long! Whether it's a relaxed autumn night, a party, shower, or just 'cause you feel like it, this dessert station is a hit every single time! 

Course Dessert, treat

Cuisine American, Healthy

Keyword Caramel Apple Bar

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 16 servings

Chelsea Lords

Calories 50kcal

Author Chelsea Lords

Cost $15.17

Equipment

• Wide-mouth Mason Jars (Note 1)
• 6-quart Crockpot, plus water
• Muffin tin, plus liners (or miniature bowls), for toppings

Ingredients

Easiest Caramel Sauce

• ▢ 1 bag (10.8 oz) Werther's SOFT caramels, unwrapped
• ▢ 2 tablespoons water
• ▢ 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• ▢ Pinch of fine sea salt & dash of vanilla, optional

Other Dipping Sauces

• ▢ 1 cup good quality chocolate chips (like white, semi-sweet, dark, milk, butterscotch, peanut butter, peanut butter & milk chocolate)
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vegetable or canola oil

Pick Your Favorite Toppings, Such As:

• ▢ Sweetened coconut flakes, raisins/Craisins/dried cherries, pepitas
• ▢ Heath bar, toffee bits, miniature chocolate chips, sprinkles
• ▢ Blended-up Oreos, Graham Crackers, Nilla Wafers, Pretzels

Apples

• ▢ Apples like Fuji, Granny Smith, or Red Delicious (Note 2)
• ▢ Fine sea salt & water

Instructions

• CARAMEL: In a medium saucepan, combine unwrapped caramels, water, and cream. Heat on medium-low until caramels start to melt. Stir frequently until the mixture is smooth with no lumps. Remove from heat and mix in the salt and vanilla.
• OTHER DIPPING SAUCES: In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the chosen type of chocolate chips with oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is completely smooth. Transfer this to a wide-mouth mason jar using a spatula. (You can also melt the chocolate directly in the mason jar. If doing so, ensure you stir thoroughly to avoid scorching the chocolate.)
  
• APPLES: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup room-temperature tap water with 1/2 teaspoon of salt (maintain this ratio for larger quantities). Slice the apples into wedges and immerse them in the salted water for 5-10 minutes. After soaking, drain apples in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Shake off excess water. Place in an airtight container in the fridge or set out at your Apple Bar. Before using, pat them dry to help the sauces and toppings adhere better.
  
• KEEP DIPPING SAUCES WARM: Fill a 6-quart crockpot halfway with water and set it to high. Transfer the prepared dipping sauces in mason jars and place them into the crockpot, ensuring no water gets inside the jars. Keep the sauces in the crockpot throughout your event, checking occasionally and adding more water as necessary. Stir sauces every now and again.
  
• TOPPINGS: To get your toppings just the right size, use a nut grinder, small food processor, or a mini blender jar. Pulse down cookies, pretzels, and nuts to your desired coarseness. Once you've prepped all your toppings, grab a muffin tin and line it with muffin liners, or use miniature bowls, to organize and display each choice.
  
• SERVING STATION: Organize your serving area with the crockpot of warm dipping sauces, pre-sliced apples, and toppings. Ensure skewers or toothpicks are available for guests to use. Enjoy!

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Supplies:

• Wide-mouth Mason Jars –for dipping sauces. It’s important to get wide-mouth jars so it’s easy to dip apples into the sauce.
• 6-quart Crock-Pot – we fill it up halfway with water, turn it on high, and be amazed as it keeps the sauces warm and gooey! 
• Muffin Pan with liners – or, if you’re feeling fancy, grab some miniature bowls.
• Skewers or toothpicks – for dipping
• Optional: Grab some cute labels or signs to let everyone know what each sauce and topping is. 
• Optional: This nut grinder is my favorite tool when preparing the toppings for this Caramel Apple Bar! It’ll quickly chop up cookies, nuts and seeds, and candies in a whiz.

Note 2: Tart vs. Sweet Apples: Balance your dips and toppings by offering a mix of tart and sweet apples. Tart apples like Granny Smith pair well with super-sweet dips, while sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp complement slightly bitter dips like dark chocolate. Choose apples that are firm and crisp. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Jonagold are known for their firm textures.

Note 3: Calories are for a serving of the caramel sauce. 

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 2.8mg | Sodium: 66mg | Sugar: 11g

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.

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