Caramel Apple Slices

Apple rounds dipped into simple caramel sauce are a delicious and festive autumn treat! Made with natural ingredients like coconut milk and coconut sugar, this amazing caramel sauce is paleo and diary-free! 

If there’s one thing (okay after Halloween candy) that my kids ask for during the autumn months it’s caramel apples. I know they are cute and festive, but personally I’ve never really understood the appeal of the caramel apple. Caramel apples are traditionally just so sticky, sickeningly sweet, and kind of hard to sink your teeth into. These caramel apple slices served in lollipop form, or simply arranged on a platter, are just the right size and made without any refined sugar. Apples served with this caramel dip makes such a fun autumn party treat. This caramel apple dip would be perfect for any Halloween or Thanksgiving party.

It may be unconventional, but ever since preschool my girls have liked apple best sliced crosswise into rounds. The core makes a natural star shape that they love, but this time I used a small star veggie cutter to remove the core from the apple slices. Either way is fine though and the star cutter isn’t necessary. To prevent sliced apples from browning I simply soak them in some lemon juice and water while I make the caramel. The apple slices stayed fresh and beautiful for hours with this method.

Caramel is traditionally made with heavy cream and white sugar, both of which can make me feel pretty sick. Over the past few years I’ve been pleased to see many natural caramel recipes popping up around blogs and Pinterest. I even made one with dates last year, which have a surprisingly caramel-like flavor! Caramel made with a can of coconut milk is smooth, thick, rich, and so close in flavor to the real thing. Just a hint of coconut flavor comes through. I would drizzle this stuff on practically everything and have a hard time refraining from eating it directly from a spoon. You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up this caramel sauce with just a few everyday ingredients!

Serve the caramel sauce with a platter of sliced apples for dipping or on pop sticks like I did here. Either way, apples and this coconut milk caramel sauce is completely addictive and party perfect. To make these even more fun, you can set out little bowls of toppings to dress the caramel apple slices up. Sprinkles, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts and seeds all work well.

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Yield: about 1 cup of caramel sauce

Caramel Apple Slices

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Whether arranged on a platter or on popsicle sticks, these caramel apple slices are a delicious treat!

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Ingredients

• 1 (14 oz.) can full fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt
• 3-5 apples (I used Granny Smith)
• juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Pour the coconut milk and coconut sugar into a sauce pan. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has reduced and thickened up, about 35 minutes. The caramel will continue to thicken as it cools. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Let cool to room temperature.
2. Meanwhile, slice the apples however you would like. Place in a bowl and coat with about 1 cup of water and the juice of 1 lemon. Drain the water when you're ready to dip. Serve the apple slices on a platter for dipping into the caramel. If you would like to make apple round pops like I did, be sure to slice the apples crosswise at least 1/4-inch thick. Use a paring knife to make a small cut and insert popsicle sticks.

Notes

I've also made this caramel sauce with a mixture of maple syrup and coconut sugar. It takes about 15 minutes longer to reduce when using syrup.
Caramel sauce recipe adapted from Bakerita.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 138Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 16mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g