Vegan Chocolaty Caramel Apple Slices

These vegan chocolaty caramel apple slices are the perfect fall treat to make and enjoy with your little loved ones. Crisp apple slices are slathered in a simple, easy-to-make 5-minute vegan caramel, drizzled with chocolate, and sprinkled with nuts or seeds. The result is a fun, fuss-free caramel apple snack!

As my due date (December 1st) draws closer, I find myself increasingly entangled in thoughts about what it will be like to become a parent.

Sure, from my background and experience working as a psychologist, I have a firm understanding of development from an emotional, behavioral, and cognitive perspective. And in my role as a psychologist, sometimes parents even asked me, a non-parent, for parenting advice. I never felt comfortable providing that sort of delicate guidance without having kids of my own, but nonetheless offered up any words of wisdom I could with the caveat, “Although I’m not yet a parent myself…”

But other than this sort of parental guiding at a distance and caring for our sweet cat Jack, I don’t have a whole lot of parenting experience. Although I suppose that no one really does before they plunge headfirst into parenthood, right? And yet most people seem to figure it out just fine. And I’m lucky to have not two but four wonderful parents to turn to for guidance along the way—each with their own individual but effective approach to parenting.

I’m rambling a bit as I tend to do, but this time I’m blaming it on the caramel apple slices.

Something about caramel apples and this time of year make me think about my mom and the courage she had as a parent after she and my dad split up many years ago. She had primary custody of my brother Brad and me and worked two jobs just to make ends meet. The first few years weren’t easy on any of us, and yet they taught us so much. About family, love, hard work, humility, and patience.

There were many things we couldn’t afford during that time, but my mom showered us in love and made sure to protect certain traditions. Traditions like caramel apples in the fall and long john donuts for birthdays. It was the little things that eased the transition from stability to uncertainty—they provided a sort of emotional anchor to hold on to when everything seemed to be so different than it once was.

We got through it though. Caramel apples and vanilla donuts in hand.

And for the record, divorce was the best thing to happen to our family. Yes, it caused a few years of division, but those times passed and transformed into decades of expansion through remarriage, more siblings, and countless joint family celebrations.

Cheers to that.

Cheers also to the conclusion of this rather sidewinding post intro (I blame pregnancy brain) and the beginnings of caramel apple slice discussions.

These vegan chocolaty caramel apple slices are the perfect fall treat to make and enjoy with your little loved ones.

Crisp apple slices are slathered in a simple, easy-to-make 5-minute vegan caramel, drizzled with chocolate, and sprinkled with nuts or seeds.

Seriously, it’s as simple as that.

Slice up two crisp red apples or two granny smith apples (or heck, one of each), and lay them out on a parchment-lined pan…

Slather each apple slice with a generous spoonful of vegan caramel.

Then, pop the pan in the freezer for about 15 minutes to set.

While the caramel layer sets, melt a bit of non-dairy chocolate in a double boiler or bain marie (or go extra simple and temper it in the microwave—heating in 15-second blasts and stirring in between to avoid scorching).

Once the chocolate is melted, lavishly drizzle it over the apple slices and sprinkle with nuts and/or seeds. I went with raw sunflower seeds and chopped roasted peanuts, but feel free to get creative here (e.g., for a turtle-like treat, sprinkle with chopped pecans).

Then, return the pan to the freezer for about 10 minutes to set the chocolate.

These treats are best enjoyed fresh since they involve sliced apples; however, if absolutely needed, leftovers will hold up for about a day in the refrigerator. Just be mindful that the apples may brown and soften a bit.

I hope you enjoy these festive fall treats!

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Vegan Chocolaty Caramel Apple Slices

These vegan chocolaty caramel apple slices are the perfect fall treat to make and enjoy with your little loved ones. Crisp apple slices are slathered in a simple, easy-to-make 5-minute vegan caramel, drizzled with chocolate, and sprinkled with nuts or seeds. The result is a fuss-free caramel apple snack that's sure to please.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, plant-based, Vegan

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 12 to 14 slices

Author Ashley

Ingredients

• 2 large crisp red apples (e.g., Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, etc. or Granny Smith apples), sliced vertically and seeded
• 1 recipe 5-Minute Vegan Caramel (cooled to room temperature)*
• 1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips
• Sunflower seeds or chopped peanuts, to taste*

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet (one that can fit in your freezer) with parchment paper or wax paper.

2. Spread the apple slices out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Spoon a bit of the caramel onto each apple slice and gently spread it evenly over the surface. Repeat, ensuring that all apple slices have been coated in caramel**. Transfer the pan to the freezer for at least 15 minutes, or until the caramel has set.

3. In a double-boiler or bain marie, melt the chocolate chips over low heat until smooth and glossy, whisking occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or bain marie until smooth and glossy, whisking occasionally.
5. Once the caramel has set, drizzle the chocolate over the apple slices and sprinkle with the sunflower seeds or chopped peanuts.
6. Return the pan to the freezer for 10 minutes, or until the chocolate layer has set. Do not let the apple slices freeze through, or they're thaw and become soft/mushy.
7. Enjoy.

8. These apple slices are best enjoyed fresh; however, if absolutely needed, store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Just note that the apples may brown a bit and become mushy the longer they sit.

Recipe Notes

*No nuts? No problem. To keep this recipe nut-free, prepare the vegan caramel using sunflower butter instead of almond butter and opt for sunflower seeds instead of peanuts.

**Leftover caramel can be stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.