Chocolate Apple Recipe
Love Caramel Apples but don't want all the calories and sugar? Make these homemade Chocolate Covered Apples! Made vegan without the corn syrup and butter!
"Ummm, mommy what is that smell?" Some mornings I would wake up around 10ish to the tantalising smell of chocolate! The aroma filled the entire apartment. I am sure the neighbors could smell it as well! It was like Christmas in the summer time. "Well baby girl I brought home some baking caramel apples!" When I heard what was in the bag my entire body jumped with glee!
Now 20+ years later, I love watching my kids jump with glee with the same excitement when I announce "come get your caramel apples!" (in my Oprah voice of course).
My kids absolutely love chocolate! I think the love of chocolate is a prerequisite of being a kid! On a recent trip to New Orleans, we were walking down the French Quarters and the same chocolate aroma overwhelmed us! All of us stopped in our tracks to locate the source. We must have looked like a bunch of birds the way our heads were turning so fast as the wind would change directions trying to throw the chocolate scent off.
"Mommy, there it is" screamed my daughter! It was a beauty candy shop that looked like it was straight out of the 19th century. It had dark woods all around with the heavenly scent of chocolate filling the atmosphere. Inside this chocolate paradise was rolls and rolls of chocolate masterpieces! We wanted to try them all, but we tried to play it cool! We each selected a piece and we filled up an entire box of heavenly joy! Everyone had a smile that would make a chest cat jealous! What a great day!
Since I am all about living a healthy lifestyle I was driven to locate the perfect alternative to our sugary, chocolate treat! Then I discovered a low calorie, sugar free - yes, I said it - a sugar free treat that will make your entire body jump like it did when you was a kid! I promise you, one bit of this healthy treat and you will be instantly transformed into the happiest kid ever!
Treat the kid in you! Enjoy!
TIP FOR MAKING CHOCOLATE APPLES:
Choose apples that taste great. A bad apple is a bad apple even if it’s coated in chocolatey goodness. One of my favorite apples to use for this is Honey Crisps. They are hard to beat, plus some of them are huge! Granny Smith are quite nice too. Whatever you use, just make sure it’s sturdy, crispy, and you’d eat it whether coated with chocolate or not.
Some of the apples in the photos above have sticks and others do not. For smaller apples, I dipped them just holding the stem, but larger apples require a stick to dip and turn. I’d prefer them without a stick to avoid puncturing the apple, which helps the coated apple stay fresher longer, but bigger apples are hard to manage without a stick of some sort.
Use good chocolate for melting. I’ve tried melted chocolate chips for these treats, and had to add vegetable shortening or coconut oil to get the correct consistency. It didn’t turn out well in the looks or taste departments.
Consider using dark chocolate. With all of the sweetness from the apple and, I think a less sweet dark chocolate is a better balance. But as with all things food, use what you like.
Always have extra chocolate on hand. No matter what a recipe says, I always have additional if needed. Depending on the size of apples, you may need more or less. Plus, any extra chocolate can be used for drizzling.
Notice how the chocolate conceals the apples imperfections? It’s magic!
servings: 12 APPLES prep time: 15 MINS cook time: 30 MINS total time: 1 HR
INGREDIENTS
5 ripe apples, washed and dried (Honey Crisps and Granny Smith are excellent choices)
wooden skewers, lollipop/sucker or popsicle sticks
12 ounces good chocolate for melting (I recommend Merckens Dark Chocolate Break Up. Also, I used dark chocolate, but use what you like)
optional: toppings for sprinkling, dipping or drizzling (chopped nuts, candy sprinkles, chopped dates, melted chocolate for drizzling)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare apples for dipping. If using sticks, insert into apples at stem stopping before puncturing through bottom of apple.
Line baking sheet with wax paper and spray with cooking spray.
Melt chocolate according to package instructions. Dip caramel covered apples in chocolate until evenly covered. Let extra chocolate drip off. If adding toppings, sprinkle, dip or drizzle now. Place finished apple on wax paper until set.
Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until needed. Depending on the apple, these should keep 3-5 days refrigerated.