Spice Up Your Halloween with Caramel Apples

When you think back on your favorite Halloween memories, the odds are good that candy and treats played a role in that memory. Candy and caramel apples are one of the classic treats served during the fall season, but the apples do get a little much. Eat more than one basic caramel apple and you are left wondering why you always loved them so much. This Halloween, try spicing up your caramel apples in a few fun ways.

The basic caramel apple uses a red apple dipped in caramel and chopped nuts. Unwrap the caramels and arrange in the bottom of a baking dish. Pop the dish in the microwave for 30 seconds. At each interval, remove the caramel and stir. Add a splash of milk or water, if the caramel feels too thick. Insert a wooden stick in the top of the apple and roll in the melted caramel. While the caramel is still wet, roll the apple in chopped nuts, such as pecans, peanuts, or walnuts.

Give the classic caramel apple a twist with the addition of melted chocolate. Melt candy chocolate or chocolate chips in the same way you did the caramel. Drizzle melted white, milk, dark or a combination of all three over the top of the nut-coated apples with a fork.

Or, skip the nuts and caramel all together. Roll the apples in white chocolate and immediately dunk in crushed Oreos or chocolate sandwich cookies. Crush chocolate chip cookies in a bowl and dip the apples in milk chocolate and then the cookies. Milk chocolate or dark chocolate also pairs nicely with crushed chocolate chip cookies or peanut butter cookies.

Another idea involves using your favorite candy bars or candies. Toss the candies in your food processor and pulse for several seconds or chop into fine pieces. Dip the apples in melted chocolate or caramel and dip into the candies. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for that finishing touch. Try sprinkling the coated apples with popcorn, crushed pretzels or even your favorite potato chips before drizzling with chocolate.

Store the coated apples in an airtight container or in your refrigerator. If you opt for the refrigerator, then remove the apples an hour before serving and let them slowly reach room temperature. Pass out the treats on beggars' night or gift to your co-workers and your children's classrooms. Wrap each apple in a piece of plastic wrap or cellophane and tie a black or orange ribbon around the plastic and stick.