Caramel Apple Slices Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since I first shared this recipe for Caramel Apple Slices!

So much has happened since I made them.

During that time the original post reached an all-time high of views and shares becoming the most popular recipe on my blog!

And since it is nearing 1 million pins I thought it was time that I revisited the concept of Caramel Apple Slices and share with you more details on creating delicious Caramel Apple Slices.

As you recall (or can read here), I did a lot of trial and error when creating the original post for Caramel Apple Slices.

I had already learned a lot from repeatedly creating Mini Caramel Apples (and my blog post, Mini Caramel Apples Revisited) over the years, so I had a really good basis for what to do when developing the recipe for the Caramel Apple Slices.

And just this week I even shared a twist on the original Caramel Apple Slices and combined it with another fall favorite to create S’mores Apple Slices, which you can read here and watch here.

I’ve read so many comments on Pinterest from people who have tried this recipe and just from the comments, I can see where some people are having trouble and some easy fixes to help you make your Caramel Apple Slices even better for your fall parties and gatherings.

So today I thought I would share with you a bunch of tips and tricks to help you while you’re creating your Caramel Apple Slices so that you don’t have a Pinterest fail! Between lots of recipe development with countless trial and error attempts + four posts on the subject of exposed apples used as caramel apples, I have done the testing for you so that hopefully I will have troubleshooted any sticky situations you may run into (pun intended).

1. Fresh Apples

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it can be easy to just grab a few or a whole bag at the grocery store without feeling them to make sure they are fresh.

You want to use crisp apples, fresh from the store or orchard, that haven’t been sitting around. Mushy apples are more juicy, which means they will weep more and you won’t want liquid dripping out of your chocolate apple slices as this can be messy and also cause the chocolate to slip off.

2. Slicing Part I

Be sure to slice from top to bottom, not side to side. I’ve had people ask, so I thought I would clarify.

3. Slicing Part II

Better to slice thick than thin slices so that your popsicle stick doesn’t pop out. My slices range between 1/2 -1 inch thick. I usually get 4-5 apple slices from 1 apple (depending on the size of the apple).

4. Remove Seeds

If you are going to be serving these at a party or selling them at a fundraiser this is extra important. Be sure to remove all the seeds before dipping the apple slice in chocolate.

5. Dry the Apple

One of the most important steps to help prevent weeping apples is to thoroughly pat down both sides of the exposed apple with a clean towel.

Gently pressing/patting it down with a cloth will greatly decrease the chances of a wet apple slice that seeps apple liquid through the chocolate causing the chocolate to slide off. So pat it down super good & then once you think you have patted it down enough, pat it down some more.

I can’t emphasize the importance of this step enough. The better you pat down your apple the better your Caramel Apple Slices with turn out.

6. Popsicle Sticks

Food-safe popsicle sticks work great. I’m not sure what type of effects may occur from using normal popsicle sticks, but I’m not sure I want to find out.

Side note: Originally I used white lollypop sticks for my Caramel Apple Slices. Roger was in dental school, money was tight, and I couldn’t justify driving to the store and buying popsicle sticks. I used what we had on hand. Buying popsicle sticks is now a luxury I can afford. 😉

7. Little Knife

Don’t try to jab your popsicle stick into the base of the apple slice, use a small knife to slice a slit for the popsicle stick.

8. Melting Chocolate

I have always and will always use melting chocolate to create these fall Apple Slices. It might be a little bit more expensive than a bag of chocolate chips, but I know it works and that I won’t waste a bunch of apples while trying to work with the other kind.

Plus, melting chocolate melts easily and quickly, tastes good, and looks beautiful too!

9. Chocolate Base (3 Tips in 1)

The reason I recommend you start with a chocolate base is that it sticks the best to the apple without weeping off. I’ve had a lot of experience with caramel and exposed apples, which you can read about here, here, and here. 

Allow some of the chocolate to drip onto the stick, this will act as a sort of edible glue that holds the stick and apple together.

Be sure when you pour the chocolate over the apple that you remove the excess chocolate from the apple slice.

In my original post, I shared how you could use butterscotch, but how even still it wasn’t as good of a base as the hardened melting chocolate.

10. Drizzle vs. Coating

In this post, I also showed you a picture of what happens if you try to completely coat your chocolate-covered apple slice with a layer of caramel. Pretty much a disaster.

I recommend that you drizzle and sprinkle all of your toppings onto the chocolate apple slices.

And be sure to use slightly cooled caramel so the chocolate doesn’t melt off.

11. When to Make

For the best results, I recommend that you make them the day of or just before serving.

I have however had success in making these ahead of time. On 3 occasions I have saved a few to see how they held up over many days.

After I made the S’mores Apple Slices I placed 1 in the fridge (uncovered) and 1 in the freezer (uncovered) on a Wednesday. I then promptly forgot about them until the weekend. I checked the one in the fridge it was still intact. And then I got distracted and forgot about them again.

Above is a picture of them the following Thursday (8 days after making them) and this is how they look. The top two are photos of the apple slice left in the fridge and the bottom two are the frozen apple slice. I waited to photograph the frozen slice until it was thawed enough to cut into. Also, I removed the top layer of chocolate so that you can see the condition/color of what the apple looks like below the chocolate layer.

Now I am definitely not recommending that you wait that long to serve them! Definitely not!! I just so happened to forget about them and these were the results.

If this is your first time making Caramel Apple Slices I highly encourage you to make them the day of your event, however, if you want to test it like I did. I say give it a try with any leftovers you have or with 1 apple well before your party or event! But just remember, I recommend you make them the day of your party for the best results.Print

I hope these tips help!

If you use this post to help you decorate your create something new, be sure to share a picture and tag @DomesticallyBlissful on Instagram so that we can all see your beautiful home and so that I can share your photo on my stories!

And if you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my newsletter below so that you don’t miss out on another blissful post!

What’s your caramel apple topping?
Feel free to comment below, email me, or tweet me on Twitter!

Want to connect on a more personal level!?
You can find me & Domestically Blissful on
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin, & Pinterest!

With love, Giusti

May my prayer come before you;
Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
Joel 2:23 NIV