Lewis County Recipes: Easy Candied Apple Slices

Thinking about big, juicy candied apples for Halloween? Delicious, and so festive, these treats make an impressive Fall presentation.

That's a lot of apple-dipping for a crowd, when it's much easier, and yields more treats, to dip slices instead of whole apples.

This recipe is fun for the little ones to assemble, much easier for them to eat, and once they're cooled, make a beautiful presentation in the form of lollipops.

The ideas are endless as to how to display these treats, but nothing brings smiles to faces faster than the sight of candied apples. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

6 large apples (McIntosh, Macoun, or Granny Smith)

18 food-safe wooden sticks

2 cups creamy peanut butter

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup white chocolate caramel various toppings

Directions:

Wash the apples and slice into 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick slices. Place them in a large bowl with 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Use a spoon to gently toss them around and coat each side with lemon juice. (This will keep the apple slices fresh.)

Carefully use a sharp knife to make a cut at the bottom of each apple slice. Insert a food safe wooden stick. Use a clean dry paper towel to dry off any excess lemon juice. Set the apple slices on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

While you prep the apple slices, use a double boiler to melt the chocolate. Warm the caramel over medium to low heat in a sauce pan.

Place the peanut butter in a microwave safe glass measuring cup. Microwave in increments of 30 seconds until the peanut butter is warm and can easily be spread on the apple slices.

Spread the peanut butter generously on each apple.

Place the apple slices on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Place into the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes for the peanut butter to set.

Dip the apple slices into melted chocolate. Shake off any excess chocolate. Place the apple slices onto a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Add various toppings while the chocolate is still warm. Place the half sheet pan into the refrigerator to set the chocolate and toppings.

Drizzle warm caramel and melted white chocolate on apple slices. I like to add white chocolate as just an added decoration. Place it into a disposable pastry bag or plastic baggie with the corner cut off to pipe it nicely onto the apple slices.

Place the sheet pan with apples slices back into the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to properly set the chocolate. Once the chocolate is set you can place apples into food-safe baggies if desired. Or enjoy immediately.

They will last in the fridge for about 2-3 days if you fully cover the apple in chocolate.

Recipe and photo: afarmgirlskitchen.com