When fall/autumn rolls around, I tend to gravitate toward making sweet and savory apple recipes over pumpkin. I originally posted this recipe in 2016 and decided to give it a little refresh. Don’t get me wrong, I love a gooey caramel apple. Think of these chocolate-covered apples as the candy apple’s (or toffee apple’s) sweet cousin and a great way to get your kids involved in a tasty activity. Sometimes I want both, so I make chocolate caramel apples and combine both coatings. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate—all melted chocolate, really—and even peanut butter chips and dried fruit can be used. Everyone gets included in this recipe, and there are no limits to the decorating with your favorite toppings.
Best Apples to use for Chocolate Decorated Apples
I prefer a tart green apple like a Granny Smith (which pairs nicely with the sweet chocolate). But, you can also use red apples, the choice is up to you. Additionally, remember to ensure your apples are not coated in wax, as the wax prevents the chocolate from sticking and may slide off. See below for removing wax.
Removing Wax from Apples
Apples typically come with a waxy coating. Removing this is a quick and easy task. It can simply be done by very briefly dipping them in boiling water, then wiping off the wax. You can also use a mixture of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and warm water. With a good rub, the wax will be removed. In either case, make sure to dry your apples well.
Best chocolate for Chocolate Dipped Apples
For these particular apples, I used a combination of melted white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, peanut butter chips, dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Here is how they are decorated in the picture below from left to right:
Coated the entire apple in white chocolate, drizzled semi-sweet chocolate on the top and sprinkled pecans. Coated the entire apple in semi-sweet chocolate, drizzled white chocolate and peanut butter in a diamond pattern. Coated the entire apple in white chocolate and studded with dried cranberries while the chocolate was still wet. Coated the entire apple in semi-sweet chocolate, drizzled peanut butter on the top and sprinkled with pecans.
Wooden Sticks for Chocolate-Dipped Apples
Instead of regular wooden sticks (like those used for popsicles or lollipop sticks), I opted for a more rustic and ‘fresh-picked-from-the-tree’ look. I foraged around outside and found some perfect sticks that make the apples look like they came off a chocolate apple tree! I did clean the sticks very well before using them. If you do use sticks from the garden, cut the end to a point this way they will go into the apple easier and, of course, make sure to wash them first.
Chocolate Apple Dipping Tip
Chill the apples first. Dipping cold apples into melted chocolate allows the chocolate to set faster.
How to Make Chocolate Apples at Home
Just a few easy steps is all it takes to creating these fun and tasty apple season treats. The ingredient list for the apples you see here are:
4 green apples, cold (cold apples help the chocolate set faster) 4 lollipop sticks, or strong sticks from the garden, cleaned 1 ¾ cups (200 grams) peanut butter chips 1 ¾ cups (200 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 ¾ cups (200 grams)white chocolate chips ¼ cup (32 grams) dried cranberries ½ cup (75 grams) pecans, chopped
As I mentioned, they are customizable to your liking. Sprinkles are a popular option, as well as colorful candies (sweets) like M&M’s or any leftover Halloween candy you may have
Christmas Chocolate Apples
In my opinion, there’s no right time of year for chocolate apples because you can decorate them to suit the season. Use red and white for Christmas, dark colors for fall, and pastel colors for spring. Apples are available all year round, so why not enjoy this treat anytime you get the craving? For more fall/autumn apple recipes, Apple Cider Caramel Popcorn are a delicious snack and Homemade Hot Apple Cider to wash it all down.
Entertaining Idea
Homemade chocolate apples are a fun way to serve dessert when entertaining. Make a platter of different ones and let everyone choose their own or even let them decorate their own. Let them earn their dessert 😀 Cold apples will help the chocolate set faster.
