Every season brings different colors and flavors that we get to enjoy at our tables.

One of our favorite savory flavors for fall is caramel apples! There is no better way to have a messy, sticky, sweet but most importantly, fun night than with a caramel apple bar.

Here are a few tips to bring a make-your-own caramel apple bar to your next family gathering:

• Creamy Caramel. Finding a caramel recipe or even melting caramel can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! An easy way to manage this process is by using a slow cooker to heat your caramel and keep it warm for dipping. Place your caramel directly into the crockpot and melt it on low, then switch it to the “keep warm” setting for the dipping process. This makes it fun for everyone to get involved and saves you from standing next to the stove all night. If you are melting caramel for just a small group, fill your slow cooker with about an inch of water, just enough to cover the bottom, place your caramel in a jar, then place the jar in the slow cooker. If you are using the jar method, you can also melt all kinds of chocolate in your crockpot using additional jars. The more dipping options, the better!
• Picking the perfect apple. Before dipping your apples, be sure to wash them. Use a scrubbing brush or towel to remove the wax from the apples. This will allow the caramel to stick better, and it won’t run as it would on a waxy surface. Next, core and slice your apples to the preferred size for your family. The tartness of Granny Smith apples perfectly complements the sweet flavors of the caramel and toppings. Other great apple choices are Honeycrisp or Gala. Next, put a wooden food skewer or cake pop stick into each apple slice. These sticks are perfect for skewing your apples for dipping. To prevent the apple slices from turning brown, dip them in a carbonated drink like Sprite until it’s time to dip them into the caramel and toppings.
• The best part, toppings! There are so many wonderful flavors that you can dip your apples in. One easy way to organize your toppings is with a large muffin tray. Fill each muffin cup with a different topping for easy dipping! Some of our favorite toppings are mini marshmallows, chopped peanuts, graham cracker crumbs, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and toffee bits.  

Putting together a caramel apple bar is easy and a great way to celebrate this fall season. We hope your whole family enjoys this fun, tasty event together!

Has your family made caramel apples in the past? We’d love to hear your favorite combinations! Share your thoughts with us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.