Turtle Chocolate Covered Apple Slices Recipe w/ Caramel
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Turtle Chocolate Covered Apple Slices is a must-make recipe for fall. This seriously scrumptious dessert combines the best of two recipes – chocolate dipped apples and turtle candies! This is the perfect way to create new favorite recipes and a simple light dessert!
In the mood for a healthier dessert that is easy to make and tastes delicious? Well you’re in the right place!
What could be better than chocolate covered apple slices covered with a thick layer of sweet chocolate, caramel drizzle, and yummy, crunchy nuts?
I love the taste, and I’m sure you and your family will too! Everyone can put their favorite add-ons right on top as well and create flavors in all different ways.
These chocolate apple slices are a great alternative to other dessert recipes, and your taste buds won’t even mind.
When it comes to an easy snack, these decorated apple slices are sure to be a hit!
For the best results, I like to use Honeycrisp apples or pink lady apples because I love their natural sweetness.
If you’re a fan of tart apples, a Granny Smith apple would also be a good choice.
Chocolate Covered Apple Slices
While these candy apple slices are great for an everyday dessert, they make for an even better Halloween treat!
They’re an easy way to up the ante on the classic Halloween party snacks!
I decided to make this recipe using apple slices instead of whole apples. This way, they’re easier to eat and less messy, too!
In the mood for more apple-y goodness? I’ve also got Air Fryer Apple Fries and Apple Cookies with Streusel Topping for some more of that fabulous apple flavor!
Ingredients and Substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make these scrumptious chocolate covered apple slices:
- Apples: Honeycrisp or other fresh, crisp flesh apple will work for this recipe.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: You’ll be melting the chocolate, so chips, chunks, or melting wafers will work well.
You could even finely chop up chocolate bars if you’d like! - Vegetable shortening: Coconut oil and butter are great substitutes for shortening.
- Roasted peanuts: Pecans is the classic nut for a turtle candy recipe, but I prefer peanuts. Feel free to use either – or a combination of both!
- Sea salt: I use sea salt flakes for more of the salty flavor. Large grind sea salt and kosher salt are also good options.
- Soft caramels: I use Kraft caramels. Caramel bits will also work.
You can use caramel sauce instead, but it doesn’t set up (harden) as firmly as traditional caramel candies do. - Heavy cream: In a pinch, you can substitute half and half for heavy cream, but the caramel mixture will be less creamy.
Turtle Candy Recipe Variations
Use different types of chocolate.
You can substitute the semisweet chocolate with white, dark, or milk chocolate, depending on your favorite and what you have on hand!
Go nuts with other nuts!
You can also substitute the roasted peanuts with chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
Additional toppings
Have fun and get creative with your chocolate covered apples! Here are some topping ideas that would be scrumptious and fun for the candy apple slices:
- Sprinkles – If you’re making this recipe for Halloween treats, you could use the holiday-themed sprinkles.
- Crushed graham crackers
- Crushed cookies
- Marshmallow bits or marshmallow creme (keep in mind that it won’t harden)
- Peanut Butter
- Dark chocolate chips
- Drizzled melted chocolate
- Crunchy toppings like toffee
You can literally add anything that you want on the slice of apple, so let everyone pick how they want to decorate their apple ring.
Part of the fun of making these caramel apple slices is putting on the various toppings!
Just be sure to have wax paper or parchment paper underneath so that cleanup is a breeze. There is bound to be an excess drip or two!
Helpful Tips
- Use skewers – Consider placing the apples on wooden skewers. Not only does this make them easier to dip into the chocolate, but serving them is also easier!
- Parchment paper is your friend! To prevent the caramel and chocolate from dripping onto your countertops, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
To prevent the chocolate covered apple slices from sticking to the parchment as they cool, you could even place them on a metal cooling rack over the pan. - Soak the apple slices to prevent browning. To prevent the apples from turning brown before dipping them, you may place them in a bowl of lemon juice (this delays the oxidation).
Don’t worry – this does not affect the taste at all.
Recipe FAQ
A double boiler is usually made with a small saucepan on bottom and a heat proof bowl of some sort on top. It is a great way of heating things that burn or seize easily.
Place a cup or two of water in the saucepan and place the bowl on top with your chocolate chips in it. As the pan heats up the water creates steam that is used to safely heat and melt the chocolate.
Caramel can be a terrible pain once it dries and sticks to something. The best way to deal with the extra caramel is to dump it out of the bowl while it is still warm.
Dump it into a heat proof bag or disposable container right away, then use hot water and soap to clean off whatever caramel is left. If you let it cool, you will have to reheat it in the microwave to get the rest of it off your bowls.
Storing Chocolate Covered Apple Slices
You’ll need to store the candy in the refrigerator, but keep in mind, chocolate covered apples generally don’t last more than a day before the apple becomes soggy.
For the best tasting treats, I recommend making and eating them on the same day!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Scrumptious Apple Desserts
Turtle Chocolate Covered Apple Slices Recipe w/ Caramel
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large large apples, any crisp flesh variety
- 2 3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1 cup caramels
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, optional garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cut apples into thick ½-inch slices and create a little slit at the base of the apple slice. This will be where you stick the popsicle stick. You can make four slices per apple.
- Insert the popsicle sticks into the bottom of each apple slice.
- Use a double boiler (or a microwave in 10-20 second increments) to melt the chocolate chips and shortening together. Stir frequently until completely melted.
- Dip each apple slice into the chocolate mixture and lay them down on the sheet pan. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle chopped peanuts and sea salt over each apple slice. Set aside to cool and set.
- Place the caramel candies and heavy cream into a large microwavable bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until the caramels are all melted. Be sure to stir the caramel mixture between each interval so that it does not burn.
- Drizzle the melted caramel over each apple slice and then place the sheet pan in the refrigerator to chill until you are ready for serving.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2022, updated and republished July 2024
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My family and I all loved these. I am going to bring these as a dessert to thanksgiving. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
My family loved these turtle chocolate covered apple slices. So easy and fun to make!
Hi Penelope!
Glad that you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn