Nothing says “Hello, fall!” quite like a caramel apple. Refreshing fruit + sticky caramel + endless toppings = a guaranteed dessert win in my book. And now it’s faster than ever to whip up a DIY version of these sweets on-a-stick with this recipe for Easy Caramel Apples.

The setup on this one couldn’t be simpler: Melt down store-bought caramels with a splash of heavy cream then dunk your apple-of-choice and coat it with a range of toppings, from chopped nuts and dried fruit to sprinkles and chocolate drizzle.

A few words of wisdom when it comes to perfecting fall’s most festive (read: Halloween!) and fruit-filled dessert:

• Wet = Mess: It’s important that the apples are washed and then thoroughly dried prior to plunging them into the hot caramel. Any trace of moisture on the apples will cause the caramel to slip and slide right off.

• Tiny Toppings: The smaller, more finely chopped your toppings, the better shot you have at them staying in place as the caramel cools.

• Cool Avoids a Pool: … of caramel, that is! If you’re opting for a second layer of deliciousness in the form of melted chocolate, always allow the first layer of caramel to cool completely before plunging your apple into a hot bath of chocolate.

Ready to get your dunk on? Grab your favorite apples and read on for this quick, easy and totally customizable recipe!

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Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.