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Caramel Apple Stick Cups

chef Laya
Easy Caramel Apple Stick Cups made with crisp fresh apple slices, creamy caramel dip, wooden sticks, and optional chocolate and crunchy toppings. This no-bake fall treat is perfect for Halloween, school parties, harvest celebrations, Thanksgiving, and kid-friendly dessert tables.

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Prepr Time 20 minutes
ToTal Time 20 minutes
Type of plate Dessert
kitchen American
Serving 6

Ingredients
  

For the caramel apple cups

  • 6 medium apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 ½ cups thick caramel dip or caramel sauce
  • 12 clear plastic cups 9-ounce size
  • 12 wooden craft sticks lollipop sticks, or small forks

Optional toppings

  • ½ cup melted milk chocolate dark chocolate, or white chocolate
  • ½ cup crushed pretzels
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup toffee bits
  • ½ cup chopped peanuts pecans, or walnuts
  • ¼ cup fall sprinkles
  • ¼ cup cinnamon sugar

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the apples: Wash and dry the apples. Cut each apple into 8 to 10 wedges, removing cores and seeds.
  • Make lemon water: In a large bowl, stir together lemon juice and cold water.
  • Prevent browning: Add apple slices to the lemon water and soak for about 2 minutes. Drain the apple slices and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  • Fill the cups: Add 4 to 5 apple wedges to each clear plastic cup.
  • Add caramel: Spoon about 1½ tablespoons caramel dip into each cup, or place the caramel in a small condiment cup inside the larger apple cup.
  • Add sticks: Place one wooden craft stick, lollipop stick, or small fork into each cup.
  • Decorate: Drizzle with melted chocolate and add optional toppings, or serve toppings separately for a DIY caramel apple cup bar.
  • Chill and serve: Cover the cups and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve the same day for the freshest apple slices.

Notes

  • Use crisp apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best crunch.
  • Soaking cut apples briefly in lemon water helps slow browning. A useful ratio is 1 tablespoon lemon juice for 1 cup water.cms.agr.wa+1
  • Dry the apple slices well before adding caramel so the caramel stays thick and creamy.
  • For a less messy cup, place caramel in a small condiment cup inside the larger apple cup.
  • Keep prepared cups refrigerated until serving.
  • Do not leave cut apple cups out for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F.fda+2
  • For school parties, choose nut-free toppings and check event allergy rules.