Chocolate Caramel Gourmet Apples--You Won't Believe They're Sugar and Allergy-free!

homemade chocolate caramel apples on cookie tray

Whole New Mom - https://wholenewmom.com

Chocolate Caramel Gourmet Apples--You Won't Believe They're Sugar and Allergy-free!

Course: Dessert, Snack

Keyword: vegan caramel apples

Servings: apples

Calories: 634kcal

These Healthy Vegan Caramel Apples are the perfect healthy snack for fall or anytime. They're dairy-free and sugar-free, plus they have a nut free "peanut" topping so they're allergy-friendly too!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

6 apples
6 popsicle sticks

Caramel Sauce

2/3 cup sunflower seed butter (or other nut/seed butter as desired)
1 cup maple syrup (use another sweetener if desired. See recipe notes.)
dash vanilla extract
pinch salt

Chocolate Coating

1-1 1/4 cups sugar-free chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil

"Peanut" Topping

1/4 cup sunflower seeds (or any acceptable nut or seed)
1/4 cup coconut sugar (or alternative sweetener--low carb would work as well)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
2 teaspoons coconut flour

Instructions

Caramel Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
Reduce heat to medium and boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a spoon or whisk, and watching carefully to avoid burning.
Remove from heat (pour into a bowl for dipping if desired).
Allow the sauce to cool slightly. If the sauce is too hot and thin, it will run right off the apples; if it is to cool and thick it wont have a nice smooth appearance. I recommend letting it cool for about 2 minutes (you can easily warm it back up, or add a splash of water to get the sauce to the right thickness).
While the apples are cooling, line a cutting board or cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper.
Push a stick straight through the top stem of the apples
Dip the apple into the caramel sauce and place them on the paper. Place them in the fridge to set while you make the chocolate coating.

Chocolate Coating

In a double boiler, over low heat, combine chocolate chips and oil and melt to a smooth and shiny consistency, regularly stirring with a spoon or whisk.
Remove the caramel apples from the fridge and dip them into the chocolate mixture.
Place them back into the fridge to set briefly while you make the *peanut topping*.

"Peanut" Topping

Roughly chop the sunflower seeds and place them on a skillet.
Add the coconut sugar and oil and saute over medium heat for a few minutes until the sugar gets a bit melty and caramelized.
Remove from heat and stir in the coconut flour.
Remove the apples from the fridge. Press the warm *peanut* topping (or other desired toppings) around the bottom and side of your chocolate apples using your fingers, or put the toppings in your hand and cup your hands around the apples to press the toppings on.
Let set or chill to set before wrapping or serving.
If wrapping, store wrapped in a plastic treat bag, wax or parchment paper.

Video

Notes

For Smooth Caramel: Though you likely won't have a problem with this, you can add a pinch of cream of tartar to the caramel to help keep it smooth.
Sweetener Options: Instead of the maple syrup, you could try 1/2 cup of a low-carb sweetener like an erythritol / monk blend plus 1/8 teaspoon stevia extract works for a low-carb option, adding in 1/4 cup water. You could also try xylitol instead of coconut sugar. I haven't tried all of these but they should work. Honey can be used as well.
Seed Butter Alternatives: Instead of the sunflower seed butter, you could use really any kind of nut or seed butter. Almond and cashew butter would be truly delicious. If you aren't avoiding peanuts, peanut butter would be great as well.
Chocolate Chip Alternatives: Instead of buying chocolate chips, you can make these Homemade Chocolate Chips instead. They are so good! Carob Chips would work well too.
Caramel Pears: Pears would be a great alternative to the apples, provided they aren't too ripe since the sticks won't stay in very ripe pears.

Nutrition