Description
Easy Caramel Apple Bark made with rich chocolate, crisp green apple, gooey caramel, and crunchy pretzels. This no-bake fall dessert delivers the classic flavors of caramel apples in easy-to-share chocolate bark pieces.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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 chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds
- ¼ cup melted chocolate, for drizzling
- 1 cup water, for soaking the apple
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a bowl. Add the apple pieces and soak for 5–10 minutes to help prevent browning.
- Drain the apple pieces and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Remove as much surface moisture as possible.
- Combine the 12 ounces of chocolate and coconut oil. Melt using a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until smooth.
- Line a 9 × 13-inch pan or baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment and spread it into an even layer about ¼ inch thick.
- Scatter the chopped pretzels evenly over the melted chocolate.
- Arrange the thoroughly dried green apple pieces over the pretzels.
- Drizzle the melted caramel over the apples and pretzels.
- Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup melted chocolate over the top.
- Refrigerate for 1–2 hours, or until the chocolate is completely firm. If desired, place the bark in the freezer for the final 15–20 minutes.
- Lift the hardened bark from the pan and break it into rustic pieces by hand, or cut it into more uniform pieces with a sharp knife.
- Serve chilled and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best fresh-apple texture, enjoy within 24 hours.
Notes
- Granny Smith apples work especially well because their tart flavor balances the sweet chocolate and caramel.
- Dry the apple pieces extremely well after soaking. Excess moisture can soften the chocolate and make the bark soggy.
- Milk chocolate creates a sweeter, creamier bark, while dark chocolate gives a richer flavor and stronger contrast with the caramel.
- Break the pretzels into small and medium pieces rather than crushing them into fine crumbs.
- For a simple 4-ingredient caramel apple bark, use only chocolate, green apple, caramel, and pretzels.
- Pecans, walnuts, or almonds can replace the pretzels for a nutty variation.
- A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt can be added for salted caramel apple bark.
- Fresh apple bark is best enjoyed within 24 hours because the fruit gradually releases moisture.
- Freeze-dried apples can be substituted for fresh apples if you want a crisper bark with easier storage.
- Nutrition information is approximate and will vary according to the chocolate, caramel, pretzels or nuts, and serving size used.
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 209 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 98 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg