Take A Bite Out Of Halloween

While pumpkins get most of the attention this time of year, apples are a close second, and I am here to share with you a fun way to enjoy them for your Halloween festivities!

{Mini Dipped Apples}

In light of the popular dessert tables, I suggest mini dipped apples as a take on the traditional treat, sized perfectly for children. These are easy to prepare beforehand, a feast for the eyes of your guests and treat for their tummies! This is also a fun activity to do with older children at a Halloween party.

{What You Will Need}

Apples (6 balls/apple)     1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips 
6" Lollipop sticks            1 bag caramels (unwrapped!)
Wax Paper                     Bowl for toppings
Melon Baller                  Apple peeler
Baking Sheet                  Saucepan (for caramel)
Toppings (op)                Double Boiler (for chocolate)

{Instructions}

Step 1: Gather large apples (apple picking is a great family activity to involve the children!), wash carefully, dry.

Step 2: Carefully peel the apples. Then use a melon baller to scoop balls of the flesh of the apple, setting aside each apple ball into a clean bowl (be sure not to get any of the seeds or core in your apple balls).
Step 3: Insert a lollipop stick about 2/3 down into the apple. Leave the remainder of the stick poking straight up top out of the apple.

Step 4: Line up your favorite toppings in small bowls. My favorites would be sprinkles (chocolate and orange are perfect this time of year), crushed Oreo cookies and chopped walnuts (be careful of any food allergies of your guests before you would select nuts).

Step 5: Melt the contents of a bag of semi sweet chocolate chips in a double-boiler with 1 tsp. water at medium low heat, stirring until just melted. Remove from heat.

Step 6: Dip half of your apples one by one, into the chocolate completely, then roll apple immediately in the bowl of your favorite topping, fully coating it.

Step 7: Place finished apples on cookie sheet lined with wax paper, and put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Then, Enjoy!

*Note: You can also dip in caramel, however caramel doesn't stick as well to apple balls as to the skin of a regular apple, so it will be more of a thin caramel-coating, which I find utterly delightful--and much less sugar!

Kate Landers, founder of Kate Landers Events, LLC, is a featured contributor.

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