Indulge in the ultimate fall treat with our Sheet Pan Caramel Apples, featuring crisp Granny Smith apple slices layered in rich, melted caramel. This delightful treat combines the sweet and tart flavors of the apples with a luscious caramel coating, topped with your favorite sweet toppings like crushed nuts, sprinkles, and chocolate drizzle.
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These Sheet Pan Caramel Apples offer a fun and mess-free twist on classic caramel apples! Sliced Granny Smith apples are generously coated in sweet, melted caramel and adorned with delicious chopped candies, sprinkles, and salty snacks, creating the ultimate, easy fall dessert.
With apple-picking season in full swing, it's the perfect time to utilize those crisp, juicy apples while involving the whole family in choosing their favorite toppings. Whether for a Halloween party or a cozy autumn night, these delightful sheet pan caramel apples are sure to be a hit!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is super easy in comparison to traditional caramel apples. There’s no need to mess with dipping into caramel or worrying about caramel sliding off apples, just slice, cover in caramel and toppings, and serve! But, if you’re up for a fun Halloween project, give these Witchy caramel apples a try—they're perfect for the spooky season!
- Less mess! This sheet pan dessert offers a convenient, mess-free alternative to classic caramel apples, with all the same delicious flavors, very similar to this Snickers caramel apple salad. Plus, any leftover apples and caramel are perfect for a fun apple carving activity with the kids!
- Serving these apple slices on a sheet pan makes it super easy to customize with whatever toppings you like! There’s no need to worry about the toppings falling off or being too messy to handle, and everyone can enjoy their own unique combination of flavors without the hassle of traditional caramel apples.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make this caramel apple recipe!
- Granny Smith apples are perfectly crisp and tart, making them a great apple variety for this recipe. You can use any variation of apple that you like, but try to stick to crisper, more firm apples.
- Kraft caramel bits melt super easily and create a sweet, smooth caramel sauce.
- Heavy whipping cream when added to the caramel bits, makes the caramel sauce rich and creamy, and helps the caramel stick to the apples better.
- Toppings used in this recipe include mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, Halloween sprinkles, crushed pretzels, and crushed peanuts, but you can choose any toppings you like!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- If you have extra time, you can make your caramel from scratch!
- Other fun topping options include any other chopped nuts, any of your favorite candy bars, Oreos, or graham cracker crumbs.
- Feel free to use your favorite apple variety in place of Granny smith, whether it’s honey crisp or gala, or use a variety of different apples!
How to Make Caramel Apples on a Sheet Pan
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, follow the steps below for the perfect autumn treat.
- Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, dry cored and sliced apples thoroughly, and arrange them on the prepared sheet.
- Step 2: In a microwave safe bowl, add heavy whipping cream to the caramel bits. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring often. Continue until the caramel mixture is melted and smooth.
- Step 3: Pour caramel over top of sliced apples.
- Step 4: Divide the baking sheet into 6 squares and decorate (refer to step 7 in the recipe card for detailed instructions). Serve immediately.
Helpful Tips
- This recipe is best served when the caramel cools. If served too soon after adding the caramel, it can get messy and the toppings will not stick as well.
- Use parchment paper to ensure an easy clean-up! If any sticky caramel gets on your sheet pan, just soak the pan in hot water and the caramel should eventually come off easily.
- If you want something a little more fancy, serve these caramel apples on a festive platter with halloween or fall picks!
- If you are serving a smaller crowd, just half or third this recipe to make a smaller serving!
Recipe FAQs
While Granny Smith apples are popular for their tartness and crisp texture, you can also try using Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples for a sweeter flavor. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples may result in a less balanced taste with the caramel and candies, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite combination!
For a quicker recipe, you can for sure use a pre-made caramel dip! However, the caramel bits and heavy cream make for a richer, creamier caramel sauce that only takes a minute more to make!
Yes, you can definitely use melted chocolate as a topping or instead of caramel for a different flavor. Simply melt your favorite chocolate and drizzle or dip the apple slices.
You can prepare these caramel apples ahead of time, but keep in mind that the apples will start to brown. Squeeze some lemon juice on your apples if you are planning to make this recipe in advance. This recipe is best served right after making!
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
To store leftovers of these easy caramel apples, cover the pan tightly and store in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. It may get a little watery or mushy the longer you keep it in the fridge.
Freezing Instructions
It is not recommended to freeze sheet pan caramel apples. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh.
More Festive Fall Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other festive fall recipes? Try these:
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Sheet Pan Caramel Apples
Ingredients
- 6 Granny Smith apples
- 33 oz Kraft caramel bits
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup mini M&Ms
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips (divided)
- ¼ cup Halloween sprinkles
- ½ cup crushed pretzels
- ½ cup crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Core and slice apples. Lay them on a paper towel and dry them as well as possible.
- Spread dried apple slices on prepared baking sheet.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add heavy whipping cream to the caramel bits. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring often. Continue until caramel mixture is melted and smooth.
- Pour caramel over top of sliced apples.
- Allow caramel to cool slightly and then add toppings.
- Divide the baking sheet into 6 squares and decorate as follows: Square 1 - Mini Chocolate Chips (only ½ cup)Square 2 - SprinklesSquare 3 - M&Ms Square 4 - Crushed PretzelsSquare 5 - Crushed PeanutsSquare 6 - In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt remaining ¼ cup of mini chocolate chips in 30-second intervals. Stir often until they are melted and smooth. Transfer melted chips to a small ziplock baggie. Cut a small corner off and pipe melted chocolate into this square.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe is best served when the caramel cools. If served too soon after adding the caramel, it can get messy and the toppings will not stick as well.
- Use parchment paper to ensure an easy clean-up! If any sticky caramel gets on your sheet pan, just soak the pan in hot water and the caramel should eventually come off easily.
- If you want something a little more fancy, serve these caramel apples on a festive platter with halloween or fall picks!
- If you are serving a smaller crowd, just half or third this recipe to make a smaller serving!
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