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Salted Chocolate Caramel Apple Bark Recipe

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4.2 from 82 reviews

  • Author: Ava
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Description

This Salted Chocolate Caramel Apple Bark combines rich melted dark chocolate, a gooey homemade brown sugar apple cider caramel, crunchy salted pretzels, and fresh honeycrisp apples. The layers create a perfect balance of sweet, salty, tart, and crunchy textures, chilled to a firm bark that’s ideal for sharing or gifting.

Ingredients

Chocolate Bark

  • 3 cups dark chocolate chips, melted (divided as 2 cups and 1 cup for drizzling)
  • 2 cups mini salted pretzel twists
  • 1 honeycrisp apple, chopped
  • Flaky sea salt, for topping

Brown Sugar Cider Caramel

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1 teaspoon flaky salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to ensure the bark does not stick and is easy to remove once set.
  2. Melt the First Portion of Chocolate: Melt 2 cups of the dark chocolate chips gently, either in a microwave in short bursts stirring frequently or over a double boiler until smooth.
  3. Spread Chocolate and Add First Caramel Layer: Spread the melted chocolate evenly across the lined cookie sheet into a 9×13-inch or slightly smaller rectangle. Drizzle about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the warm brown sugar cider caramel over the chocolate layer.
  4. Add Toppings: Evenly scatter the mini salted pretzel twists and chopped honeycrisp apple pieces on top of the first chocolate layer and caramel drizzle, ensuring a good distribution for texture and flavor in every bite.
  5. Drizzle Second Caramel Layer: Drizzle another portion of the warm caramel over the layered pretzels and apples to bind the toppings slightly and add extra flavor.
  6. Melt the Remaining Chocolate: Melt the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips until smooth and drizzle it over the entire bark, adding an appealing finish and sealing some of the toppings in place.
  7. Add Sea Salt and Chill: Sprinkle flakes of sea salt evenly over the chocolate drizzle to enhance the sweet and salty contrast. Chill the bark in the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until firm and set.
  8. Break and Serve: Once firm, break the bark into 12 pieces and serve. Store leftovers in the freezer to keep the apples fresh and prevent sogginess.
  9. Make the Brown Sugar Cider Caramel: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the salted butter. Stir in the dark brown sugar until dissolved and combined, then add the apple cider. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes dark, bubbling, and thickened. Remove from heat, stir in 1 teaspoon of flaky salt, and keep warm to drizzle over the bark layers during assembly.

Notes

  • Use a sharp knife to chop the honeycrisp apple for even pieces.
  • The caramel should be warm but not boiling when drizzling over the chocolate; this helps it spread smoothly without melting the chocolate too much.
  • If you prefer a less sweet bark, reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly in the caramel.
  • Store leftover bark in an airtight container in the freezer to maintain crispness and freshness of the apples.
  • You can substitute the honeycrisp apple with other firm, tart apple varieties like Granny Smith.
  • Adjust the amount of flaky salt to taste; it enhances flavor but should not overpower the sweet components.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://quickandsweetrecipes.com/salted-chocolate-caramel-apple-bark-recipe/