Loaded Caramel Apple Wedges

Loaded Caramel Apple Salad

As usual, I wasn’t sure what to call this exactly. I went through a few different names before settling on this one.

Last year, I tried to make loaded caramel apples. I de-waxed the apples, coated them in caramel, and covered the caramel in honey roasted peanuts and mini M & Ms. And they looked great.

But an hour later, the weight of the toppings and pulled the caramel right off the apple. So I got really angry and gave up. Until now. Because if you don’t like the rules, then change them. If a caramel apple loaded with toppings is delicious, then just do the same thing, but deconstruct it. Easy peasy! No more #caramelapplefail in your life.

Loaded Caramel Apple Salad

Sometimes, working a problem just means thinking of new ways to get around it. Too often, we force ourselves to do things that we think we should (and “should” is a dangerous word, my friends) instead of finding another path.

For years, I told myself that a life that included dessert every day was wrong, and that I should just eat healthy foods and live in a state of constant deprivation. If you read any women’s magazines, they’ll tell you that an “occasional indulgence” (boy, do I hate that phrase) is acceptable, but nothing beyond. And for years, I was stupid enough to believe them.

Loaded Caramel Apple Salad

But that system didn’t work. I wound up thinking about dessert all the time. So one day, I got fed up and changed the rules and began eating indulgent desserts every day. Every. Day. Unless I got struck down by the flu or something.

And guess what? Nothing happened. I balanced those desserts with fruit and veggies, and figured that if twenty to thirty percent of my daily diet had no redeeming features, the rest would be healthy. It’s called balance, and so many women’s magazines just don’t get it.

Loaded Caramel Apple Salad

When things don’t feel right, trust your instincts. Make a system that works for you. Listening to other people tell you how to live your life is completely illogical.

And dipping apples into caramel is also illogical if you just want the flavor without the hard work. Solution? Easy. So easy that my kids did it with me.

Loaded Caramel Apple Salad

Cut up an apple. Drizzle a high-quality caramel sauce over the apples. Cover with your desired toppings (I am a HUGE fan of honey roasted peanuts and chocolate chips). Eat. And just think: this snack is even a bit healthy, thanks to the lovely apple.

Don’t waste your time playing by someone else’s rules. Make up your own!

 

Loaded Caramel Apple Wedges

Ingredients

1 Granny Smith apple, cut into wedges
2-3 spoonfuls high-quality caramel sauce (usually in ice cream aisle)
1/4 cup honey roasted peanuts
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Place the sliced apples on a plate. Drizzle the caramel sauce on top, being sure to cover each apple.
  2. Sprinkle on the nuts and mini chocolate chips.
  3. Eat immediately!
http://justaboutbaked.com/loaded-caramel-apple-wedges/

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 26 Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    This looks like the ultimate caramel apple snack, Mir! I always buy those little caramel cups in the fall to dip my apples in, so I will have to try this version. Sounds fantastic!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake DipMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I love the caramel cups for on-the-go, but this is a great at-home snack!

  2. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    We call these caramel apple nachos in our house! One of those desserts that you can just throw together. Yours photographs a lot better than mine though πŸ˜‰
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Kale and Harissa Flatbread Pizza by DanniiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Dannii! I was going to call them “nachos,” but I couldn’t get past the image of cheese.

  3. Melanie @ Gather for Bread

    These look insanely delish! What a great idea. I know my kids wouldn’t be able to keep their hands off of these. πŸ™‚
    Happy Friday!
    Melanie @ Gather for Bread recently posted…Friday’s Fabulous Finds {Week #3}My Profile

    1. Mir

      My kids got VERY sticky, but in a good way. Thanks, Melanie!

  4. Sues

    This looks INCREDIBLE!!! Like nachos, but better πŸ™‚
    Sues recently posted…Chocolate Cinnamon Toast Crunch Stout MilkshakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Much better. And healthier! Thanks, Sues!

  5. Mary Frances

    Deconstruction is the way to go! This is why you’re the bomb Mir. It’s like Snickers on apple wedges! Winner winner!
    Mary Frances recently posted…Double Chocolate Reeses Pieces Cookie CupsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I do love anything like a Snicker, Mary Frances. And deconstructed is often not pretty, but it’s still delicious!

  6. Jen | Baked by an Introvert

    Move over apples and peanut butter! There’s a new snack in town. These loaded caramel apple wedges are sure to become my favorite snack. This is a win!
    Jen | Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Matcha Glazed BrowniesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Jen! This is fall’s version of apples/PB.

  7. Manali @ CookWithManali

    This is so fun! I would eat the entire plate, I think this will be my lunch today! πŸ˜€
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Lentil ChiliMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I did eat the whole plate, Manali. Not sorry!

  8. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    Delicious! I love finger food and this is scrumptious πŸ™‚
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Vegan Portobello Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage & Walnut PestoMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Medha! Finger food is definitely the way to go.

  9. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    YES PLEASE! I could eat a whole huge plate of these! these look absolutely delicious! πŸ˜‰ and I love that you added buts to it too!

    1. Mir

      Yep! More protein that way!

  10. annie@ciaochowbambina.com

    I imagine your kids had a great time preparing this awesome treat with their mama! This is my kinda snack, my friend! YUMMMO!
    annie@ciaochowbambina.com recently posted…Caramelized Butternut Squash & Apple Bisque with Cinnamon CroutonsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They’re always so happy when they get to play sous chef! Thanks, Annie!

  11. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    This really is the best way to eat caramel apples. I can’t stand the real thing – but this? I can get behind it for sure!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Apple Cider PieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The real thing is way too much work. I can’t do it either. I’m much more into this!

  12. Michele

    I know what you mean. I tried to make pretty caramel apples and they were a disaster. This is an awesome idea. My family would LOVE this! Your presentation looks gorgeous!
    Michele recently posted…Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese FrostingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Michele! My kids really dug in and they didn’t mind them not being huge whole apples. Easier to eat this way!

  13. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    Deconstructed caramel apples is brilliant. Easier and better then the regular way I’m sure. Plus, more toppings is always better! I’m totally with you on the balance thing. Never eat dessert is totally impossible. I’m much happier when I eat healthy most of the day, but let myself have that treat too. Besides, that’s what exercise is for right?! So you can still enjoy the chocolate!
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Apple Cinnamon Sweet RollsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Totally what exercise is for. I can’t stand straight-up deprivation. It never works!

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