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Caramel Apple Bark

Fun, easy and flavorful, this Caramel Apple Bark is a favorite autumn snack with minimal ingredients that is fruity, sweet and salty!

A FUN APPLE TREAT

This Caramel Apple Bark is not only fun and tasty but it is super easy to put together. You get the fruity, sweet and salty all in one. I promise if you serve this anywhere, it will be the first thing gone! Using only a handful of ingredients, this recipe comes together quickly. Whether it’s for a party, a snack or to give as a gift, you will fall in love with this Caramel Apple Bark recipe!

Stacked slices of the Caramel Apple Bark.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What kind of pretzels are best to use?

I like to use the smaller pretzel twists for this recipe. You can use any kind you prefer as long as they aren’t too thick.

Do I have to use Granny Smith apples?

No. You can use any of your favorite variety of apple for this recipe. I like the slight tartness of it combined with the other flavors.

Can I use another chocolate?

Absolutely! If you want a sweeter bark then use milk chocolate. If you want a more rich bark then you can use dark chocolate.

Do I have to use the caramel bits?

When the caramel bits first came out, they were hard to find anywhere. But now you can easily find them in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips. However, if you can’t find them then you can use individually wrapped caramel squares. You will need around 50 to get the same amount of caramel as we use for the bits.

How long does this need to be refrigerated?

In total you will need to refrigerate this for about 2.5 hours for everything to fully set up.

Can this be made ahead of time?

This is best eaten when it is first made as the apples can brown and the pretzels may go soft.

Can I use caramel sauce?

If you do not wish to melt caramels, caramel sauce is an option. You will want a super thick caramel sauce like the ones you dip apples in. You will need about 1 1/2 cups.

How do I store leftovers?

While best eaten the same day, you can store this in the refrigerator in an airtight container where it will keep for up to 1-2 days. I do not suggest freezing this recipe.

Pinterest image of a hand holding up a slice of the Caramel Apple Bark.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • apples
  • semi-sweet chocolate
  • pretzels
  • caramels bits 
Ingredients needed: apples, semi-sweet chocolate, pretzels and caramels bits.

HOW TO MAKE CARAMEL APPLE BARK:

Prepare a large cookie sheet (13” X 18”) by lining it with parchment paper. Melt 2 cups of chocolate chips in the microwave. (Set the remaining ½ cup aside for drizzling later.) Start with 30 seconds on high power, stir well. Then cook for 15 seconds at a time on high power. Only cook them until you can stir the chocolate chips smoothly.  

Melted chocolate in bowl.

Spread onto the prepared cookie sheet.

Melted chocolate spread out over parchment lined baking sheet.

Place the pretzels in one even layer all over the top of the chocolate.

Pretzels placed over chocolate.

Unwrap and melt the caramels in the microwave. Again, start with 30 seconds on high power then stir well. Continue cooking for 15 second intervals stirring well in between. Cook this until it gets bubbly.

Caramel melted in bowl.

Dice the apples, then pat them with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Apples diced up on wooden cutting board.

Mix the diced apples into the melted caramel. 

Caramel and apples mixed together in bowl.

Pour this mixture evenly over the base, then carefully spread. Place the pan into the refrigerator and allow it to cool for half an hour.

Caramel apple mixture spread over pretzels and chocolate.

Melt the remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips and drizzle it over the bark. Return the bark to the refrigerator until completely set. (This may take a few hours.)

Remaining chocolate drizzled over caramel apple toping.

Remove it from the refrigerator and cut it up into pieces. 

Overhead of Caramel Apple Bark cut up.

WANT MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES?

Close up square image of stacked Caramel Apple Bark.

Caramel Apple Bark

Fun, easy and flavorful, this Caramel Apple Bark is a favorite autumn snack with minimal ingredients that is fruity, sweet and salty!
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 3 Granny Smith apples
  • 2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate divided
  • 3 cups pretzels (about 1/2 of a 10 ounce bag)
  • 16.5 ounces caramels bits (about 1 1/2 bags)

Instructions

  • Prepare a large cookie sheet (13” x 18”) by lining it with parchment paper.
  • Melt 2 cups of chocolate chips in the microwave. (Set aside the remaining ½ cup aside for drizzling later.) Start with 30 seconds on high power, stir well. Then cook for 15 seconds at a time on high power. Only cook them until you can stir the chocolate chips smoothly.
  • Spread onto the prepared cookie sheet.
  • Place the pretzels in one even layer all over the top of the chocolate.
  • Unwrap and melt the caramels in the microwave. Again, start with 30 seconds on high power then stir well. Continue cooking for 15 second intervals stirring well in between. Cook this until it gets bubbly.
  • Dice the apples, then pat them with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  • Mix the diced apples into the melted caramel.
  • Pour this mixture evenly over the base, then carefully spread. Place the pan into the refrigerator and allow it to cool for half an hour.
  • Melt the remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips and drizzle it over the bark.
  • Return the bark to the refrigerator until completely set. (This may take a few hours.) Remove it from the refrigerator and cut it up into pieces.

Notes

  • You can use any type of apple you’d like.
  • I did not peel the apples but you can if that is your preference.
  • Use milk, semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
  • Caramel sauce can be used but it has to be thick.
  • You can use regular square caramels instead of bits.
  • We do not recommend freezing.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 148mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 53g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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