Caramel Apple Bark Recipe
Delight in the perfect balance of sweet and salty with this Caramel Apple Bark recipe. Featuring crisp Granny Smith apples, rich semi-sweet chocolate, crunchy pretzels, and gooey caramel, this festive treat is great for sharing and enjoying any time of year.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake, refrigeration
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Fruits and Liquids
- 2 Granny Smith Apples, cubed into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 cup water, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Chocolate and Caramel
- 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
- 25 caramel squares
Crunchy Topping
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large (13×18 inch) baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Make Lemon Water: In a bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir to mix well. This will keep the apples from browning.
- Core and Chop Apples: Core the Granny Smith apples and cut them into 1 1/2 inch cubes. As you chop, transfer the pieces to the lemon water bowl to preserve freshness.
- Melt Chocolate (First Portion): In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 cups of the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, and continue heating in 15 second increments, stirring well after each, until smooth and fully melted.
- Spread Chocolate: Pour the melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Add Pretzels: Evenly distribute the pretzels over the melted chocolate, pressing them slightly to adhere.
- Dry Apples: Drain the apples from the lemon water, place them on paper towels, and pat dry thoroughly. Removing moisture is crucial to keep the chocolate firm and pretzels crunchy.
- Melt Caramel: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine caramel squares with 1 teaspoon of water. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, then continue heating in 15 second intervals, stirring each time until the caramel is smooth and melted.
- Drizzle Caramel: Slowly pour the melted caramel over the pretzel layer, spreading it evenly.
- Add Apples: Arrange the dried apple cubes in a single layer over the caramel and gently press them into the bark.
- Melt Chocolate (Remaining Portion): Repeat the melting process with the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips until smooth.
- Drizzle Chocolate: Drizzle the remaining melted chocolate over the apples to create a decorative topping.
- Chill Bark: Refrigerate the baking sheet until the bark is completely set, which may take several hours. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Serve: Once firm, use a sharp knife to cut the bark into pieces and enjoy.
Notes
- This bark is best enjoyed the same day it is made as moisture from the apples can soften the pretzels and chocolate over time.
- The amount of apple needed may vary based on the size of the apples used.
- Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary depending on brands and portion sizes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximate)
- Calories: 427
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 256mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
Keywords: caramel apple bark, chocolate bark, apple dessert, caramel treat, holiday dessert, sweet and salty bark