Caramel Apple Bark With Pretzels
Published Aug 27, 2023
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Caramel Apple Bark is a delicious autumn-inspired treat that combines the best of caramel apples and chocolate bark. This sweet delight features layers of rich chocolate, green apple pieces, gooey caramel, and crushed pretzels. The perfect balance of sweet, tart, and crunch in every bite!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
This caramel apple bark recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional caramel apples. For many, caramel apples are associated with cherished memories of fairs, festivals, and childhood experiences. However, they can be hard to eat and gets super messy. With this easy bark, you get the best of both worlds! With only 5 ingredients and super simple instructions, you can make this treat in no time at all. And if you love this recipe, you have to try my Pumpkin Pie Low Carb Yogurt Bark!
Ingredient Notes
- Chocolate Chips: milk or dark chocolate. For milk chocolate I prefer Ghirardelli and for dark chocolate I use Hu Kitchen.
- Green Apples: sliced thinly or cubed. To prevent them from browning, soak in water with lemon juice.
- Caramel Melts: Make sure to buy the soft baking caramels that are in the wrappers. I don’t recommend using caramel sauce. The sauce doesn’t set and ends up running off the chocolate.
- Pretzels: use gluten or regular pretzels of choice, chopped. If you’re not a fan of pretzels, you can sub nuts of choice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Soak The Apples Pieces: Place the apple pieces in 1 cup of water along with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. This will prevent them from turning brown.
- Melt Chocolate: Using a double boiler or a microwave, melt the chopped chocolate until smooth and creamy. If using a microwave, heat the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval to prevent burning.
- Spread the Chocolate: Line a sheet pan (I used a 9X13 pan) with parchment paper. Pour the melted chocolate onto the paper. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Toppings: Add the crushed pretzels to the melted chocolate, then the diced apples on top of the pretzels. Drizzle the apples with melted caramel and melted chocolate.
- Allow to Set: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 1-2 hours or until the chocolate is completely set. This will ensure that your bark is firm and easy to break into pieces. I also like to add to the freezer for the last 20 minutes.
- Break or Cut The Bark: Once the bark has hardened, use your hands to break it into rustic, bite-sized pieces. If you want more uniformed pieces, use a knife to cut into squares.
- Serving and Storing: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate from melting.
Mac’s Pro Tip
Expert Tips
- Get Creative: Feel free to get creative with your caramel apple bark dessert. Add dried fruits, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers for extra flair. Experimenting with variations can lead to delightful discoveries.
Serving Tips
- Break into rustic pieces using your hands or use a knife to cut into uniform pieces.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate from melting. For optimal freshness, eat within a couple of days
- Freezer: If you decide to freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container. Thaw it in the refrigerator when you’re ready to enjoy it. It will last up to 5 days in the freezer.
Recipe FAQs
Caramel apple bark is a delightful treat that combines elements of caramel apples and chocolate bark. It typically consists of a layer of melted chocolate topped with thinly sliced apples, soft caramel pieces, and sometimes pretzels or nuts.
If using a microwave, heat the chocolate in short intervals and stir well each time to avoid overheating or burning. If using a double boiler, melt the chocolate over simmering water, stirring constantly until smooth.
To prevent the apples from turning brown, place the cut pieces in 1 cup of water along with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes.
For optimal freshness, you can enjoy within 24 hours. However, I have store in the refrigerator and freezer for up to 3 days with good results.
Definitely! Caramel apple bark can be packaged in decorative bags or boxes to create charming and delicious homemade gifts for friends and family. Just make sure to store it properly to maintain its quality.
More Fall Recipes
Caramel Apple Bark
Ingredients
- 12 oz milk or dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup soft baking caramels melted
- 1 medium green apple chopped or thinly sliced
- 1 cup chopped gluten-free pretzels or nuts pecans, walnuts, or almonds
- 1/4 cup melted chocolate for drizzle
Instructions
- Soak The Apples Pieces: Place the apple pieces in 1 cup of water along with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes. This will prevent them from turning brown.
- Melt Chocolate: Using a double boiler or a microwave, melt the chopped chocolate and coconut oil until smooth and creamy. If using a microwave, heat the chocolate and coconut oil in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval to prevent burning.
- Spread the Chocolate: Line a sheet pan (I used a 9X13 pan) with parchment paper. Pour the melted chocolate onto the paper. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Toppings: Add the crushed pretzels to the melted chocolate, then the diced apples on top of the pretzels. Drizzle the apples with melted caramel and melted chocolate.
- Allow to Set: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 1-2 hours or until the chocolate is completely set. This will ensure that your bark is firm and easy to break into pieces. I also like to add to the freezer for the last 20 minutes.
- Break or Cut The Bark: Once the bark has hardened, use your hands to break it into rustic, bite-sized pieces. If you want more uniformed pieces, use a knife to cut into squares.
- Serving and Storing: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate from melting. For best results, eat within 24 hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The perfect balance of sweet and salty. This is my favorite fall treat!
Made this twice in the last week and it was delicious. Very easy to make and just an all around perfect fall treat. I did the lemon juice trick and it worked like a charm. Thank you!
Thank you Bailey! I am so happy you loved this recipe 🙂
Can you substitute something else for coconut oil?
Ashley, made this recipe as it combines all of my loves! A little bit of sweet, salty, crispy & crunch and not to forget the love of a little chocolate! I was looking for something a little different to add to my list of fall favorites to make after several trips to the orchard after bundles of apples line the shelves of my refrigerator and fill my belly. This is definitely a keeper and a huge hit in my home along with my delivery people and mail carriers! Thanks so much for sharing!
**On another note, love your story and commend you for fighting your way through health struggles, infertility, a battle with food and ultimately landing on your feet. It is always a battle, but sharing your story always helps someone else! Hugs to you…
This means so much! Thank you so much for being here and loving my recipes. It means so much!
How do you keep the caramel and chocolate thin enough to drizzle?
Hi Toni,
You can thin the caramel sauce with a splash of milk to make it drizzle easier. Hope this helps.
Do you use the Kraft caramels and melt them? I wasn’t sure if you had a preference.
Thanks so much for this recipe, I can’t wait to try it!!
I don’t have a brand preference—Kraft caramels work well, but I usually just grab whatever’s available at the grocery store.
Super easy to make and everyone loved them. I didn’t even get any. Doubling the recipe next time.
I’m thrilled to hear it was a hit! Thank you so much!
Awesome recipe! Everyone loved it, will definitely make again soon, thank you
Thank you, Laura! So happy to hear this.
What is the best way to melt the Carmel?
I usually prefer the stovetop double boiler method. First, place the caramels in a heat-safe bowl with a bit of cream or milk.
Next, set the bowl over a pot of simmering water to create a double boiler. This prevents scorching and provides even heat.
Stir continuously until smooth.
Making for thanksgiving & wonder how many of the caramels did you use to make a cup?! A whole normal sized bag? Don’t want to over or under buy!! Thanks!!
One bag should be more than enough. You’ll need approximately 8 ounces (by weight) of baking caramel to make 1 cup of melted caramel.