Easy Crunchy Caramel Apple Bark

This is such an awesome fall treat!!! We love that it tastes like a gourmet caramel apple, but easier to make. This will make about 20 pieces:

Photo byCarleigh

• 12 oz bag of milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips*
• 1 Granny Smith apple*
• 35 caramels or 13.5 oz caramel dip
• 16 oz bag of pretzel twists
• 1 Tbl lemon juice
• 1 cup of cold water

Mix the lemon juice and cold water in a medium bowl, then set aside. Dice the green apple and put in bowl of lemon water and toss to coat. This will help prevent the apple from browning. Tehn, drain and pat apples dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which helps prevent the caramel from getting runny.

Place a piece of parchment onto a cookie sheet and set aside. Then, melt 1 3/4 cups of chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth. Spread the melted chocolate onto parchment-lined sheet and spread evenly. (It does not have to reach sides.)

Next arrange pretzels evenly on top of the chocolate, covering it completely.

Melt the caramels in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Combine the diced apple with the melted caramel and spread the mixture over the pretzels.

Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Afterward, melt the remaining chocolate and drizzle it over the caramel-apple layer. Return the bark to the fridge for another hour to set. Once firm, cut the bark into bite-sized pieces and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. Enjoy!!

* Notes:

Sometimes we like to do half semi-sweet chocolate and half white chocolate for a marbled look.

Only make what you plan on serving the same day. The fresh-cut apples will not last. For a longer-lasting treat, swap the fresh apple out for dehydrated apple bits.

If not using caramel candies, make sure you use caramel dip, not caramel sauce, which will be too runny.