Salted Caramel Chocolate Almond Apples

What you are looking at is a healthy snickers bar.  Okay…maybe not totally healthy.  But you know what they say about apples keeping the doctor away… 

 These were inspired by a trip to Cedarburg this summer for Strawberry Fest where I had my first experience of “Amy’s Apples.”  Amy’s Apples is a quaint store in the historic downtown Cedarburg that boasts a wide assortment of caramel apples, dipped in everything delicious imaginable.  

 Here is my homemade version….and I’m hooked.  They are perfect for fall, but honestly I would make these any time of year!  They are a great way to serve dessert to family and friends…and one apple is more than enough to split between two people.  They are filling but they will leave you wanting more! 

 Honestly this recipe has no rhyme or reason – I threw this together on a whim…so I will probably be perfecting it over time.  Feel free to play around with different toppings and have fun with it! 

Salted Caramel Chocolate Almond Apples

Ingredients

3-4 medium-large apples (I used Gala but you can use Granny Smith or any kind you want!)

5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate squares

1 bag (11 ounces) Kraft Premium caramel bits (unwrapped for easy melting)

½ cup chopped unsalted almonds

½ tsp. salt

1 Tbs. butter

Lollipop sticks

Directions

Melt caramel according to package directions (melt 2 TBS. water with caramels in pan on stove).   Wash apples and remove stems.  Stick lollipop sticks through top of apple where the stem was removed.  Make sure the stick is secure enough for you to hold on to the apple while dipping in caramel.  After caramel has melted, dip apples in caramel and drizzle more on top to cover the entire apple.  Place apples on wax paper on a plate and put in the fridge to harden. 

Meanwhile, toast almonds in a pan with butter and salt until fragrant and lightly browned.  Once almonds are toasted, roll apples in almonds or gently press the almonds into the caramel with your fingers.  Return apples to the fridge.  Melt chocolate with a small amount of vegetable oil in the microwave (30 seconds at a time, stirring in between).  When caramel on apples has hardened, drizzle chocolate on top of caramel and almonds.  Return to fridge to harden for amount one hour.  Slice apples into wedges to serve!