Caramel Apple Bar

Everybody likes caramel apples – at least for the first 4 or 5 bites. With Halloween coming up very soon, I thought it would be fun to put together a caramel apple bar. Slices of apple that you can dip into sauce and toppings. Perfect amounts of apple and toppings!

EASY CARAMEL SAUCE
1 bag (10.8 oz) caramels
2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
pinch of fine sea salt
dash of vanilla
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.
DIPPING SAUCES
1 cup good quality chocolate chips – any kind
2 teaspoons avocado oil
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.)
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 the desired coarseness. Use miniature bowls to organize and display each choice.
IDEAS FOR TOPPINGS
Sweetened coconut flakes
Craisins
Dried cherries
Pumpkin seeds
Toffee bits
Mini chocolate chips
Mini marshmallows
Sprinkles
Oreos
Cinnamon and brown sugar
Graham crackers
Mini Reese’s Pieces
Diced candy bars
Vanilla wafers
Pretzels
Gummy bears
Nuts (roasted and salted work best)
Trail mix
Cereals

APPLES
Fuji
Granny Smith
Red Delicious
Honeycrisp
Slice the apples into wedges and immerse them in acidulated water (water with a lemon squeezed into it) 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. Before using, pat them very dry to help the sauces and toppings adhere better. Insert skewers in apple slices and arrange on decorative tray.
SETTING UP THE APPLE BAR
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.