Caramel apple pops are an easy and delicious way to eat a traditional caramel apple. Get the kids involved in topping their own with dried cereal, chocolate chips, or extra caramel sauce!
Confession: I hope the boys snag a few of those caramel apple suckers in their trick-or-treating adventures tonight. And just in case no one is passing them out, I’ve found a healthier substitute to curb those sticky tooth cravings on my end. These caramel apple pops!
While it seems like Halloween kicks off a serious season of sugar, I can’t tell you how I’m going to stop or prevent my kids from eating it. Sugar will always be there. It’s in our house. It’s at their school and at the many playdates we host or attend. Heck, it’s even in my favorite store bought tomato sauce. And I have been known to enjoy a handful of candy or second slice of pumpkin pie too. But what I can tell you is that I like to meet them halfway with their little tummy sugar cravings. My approach is to pair that unhealthier option with something healthy, like fruit. Because who doesn’t love a little caramel + apples?! I guess the point is I don’t want my kids growing up thinking it’s one or the other. Healthy vs. processed [or in this case, sugar]. Because that’s not the real world. And both can be enjoyed together… or deliciously on their own! Just one needs to be enjoyed with a little more moderation or monitoring than the other… take a wild guess which one that is!
That doesn’t mean we have to eat our Halloween candy with an apple or orange slices. But it does mean if we have a holiday party at school on Monday, a birthday party at a friend’s house on Thursday, and another holiday party with family on Saturday [we have a few weeks like this in November and December], then heck yes I’m bringing out something like these caramel apple pops. Or a yogurt parfait bar… and when your parents or other parents give you the stink-eye, just remind them you’re the one handling bedtime with your sugar-rushed kiddos! My boundaries with sugar are clearly flexible with my kids, but even I know when enough is enough…
These caramel apple pops are just the compromise I’m talking about. With holiday parties right around the corner, here’s something you can have the kids assemble and eat while the parents are digging into their pumpkin pie. I find my kids are receptive to most things “kabob’d,” and it’s a great way to get Joey working on his eye-hand coordination. A win-win for Mom and kids!
- 2 large Granny Smith apples [or any apple variety you’d like]
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- 6-8 small wooden or plastic skewers [I used cocktail stirrers]
- Toppings: granola, Cheerios, sprinkles, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, graham cracker crumbs, raisins, etc.
- Core and cut each apple into fourths. Cut each fourth into 3 pieces. After cutting both apples you will have 24 pieces.
- Thread apples onto skewers. You can probably fit about 3-4 apple pieces on each skewer. Rest on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
- Warm caramel sauce in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Drizzle over apples. Sprinkle with desired toppings.
This is definitely a recipe I’d prepare right before enjoying. Or alternatively, you could make it an activity for the kids at the party! I have fond memories of my Mom planning food activities for my friends and I at my birthday parties and I think this is one we’ll try next year for Joey’s birthday.
How do you handle the sugar-rush that accompanies the holidays in your house?!
Love this snack idea, Katie! Lucy keeps asking me to make a snack or meal in muffin tins/egg carton cups (maybe she’s been on Pinterest when I’m not looking) and I think she’d love making these with me. We will add this to our weekend to-do list!
(On a related note – I was eating one of those Caramel Apple pops when I was 17 and it got slightly stuck to my front tooth. When I pulled it off it shattered the root of the tooth and it took a decade of expensive, draining dental care to repair my smile. So I highly recommend eating your version over the real candy!!!)
I could just see Lucy perusing Pinterest. That image made me smile! 🙂