Save A spooky, enchanting treat board featuring poison apples and a selection of Halloween-inspired snacks—perfect for parties and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- Poison Apples: 6 small apples (preferably Granny Smith), 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup water, ½ tsp black gel food coloring, ½ tsp vanilla extract, Wooden sticks
- Dips & Sauces: ½ cup caramel sauce, ½ cup dark chocolate sauce
- Sweet Treats: 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzel rods, 1 cup gummy worms, 1 cup marshmallows, ½ cup Halloween-themed candies (e.g. candy corn, jelly beans, eyeball candies), ½ cup chocolate bark, broken into pieces
- Fruits & Extras: ½ cup black grapes, ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. Insert wooden sticks into the tops and set aside.
- Step 2:
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3:
- Increase heat and boil (without stirring) until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer, about 7–8 minutes.
- Step 4:
- Remove from heat. Quickly stir in black gel food coloring and vanilla extract.
- Step 5:
- Working carefully, dip each apple into the candy mixture, swirling to coat completely. Let excess drip off, and place coated apples on a parchment-lined tray to set.
- Step 6:
- Arrange the poison apples in the center of a large serving board.
- Step 7:
- Neatly arrange caramel and chocolate sauces in small bowls for dipping.
- Step 8:
- Fill in the board with chocolate-covered pretzel rods, gummy worms, marshmallows, Halloween candies, chocolate bark, grapes, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately or within a few hours for best results.
Save Required Tools
Medium saucepan, Candy thermometer, Wooden sticks, Parchment paper, Large serving board, Small bowls (for sauces)
Allergen Information
Contains: Tree fruit (apples, grapes), soy (in some chocolates), dairy (in caramel, chocolate), gluten (in pretzels, depending on brand).
Nutritional Information
Calories: 310, Total Fat: 4 g, Carbohydrates: 70 g, Protein: 2 g
Save This poison apple treat board is sure to wow guests at your next Halloween party.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I make the candy coating glossy black?
Use black gel food coloring mixed into the hot sugar syrup before dipping the apples to achieve a smooth, shiny black finish.
- → What type of apples are best for the treat board?
Small, firm apples like Granny Smith work well due to their tartness and ability to hold the candy coating firmly.
- → Can the board be prepared in advance?
Prepare the candy apples shortly before serving for the best texture, but other snacks can be arranged ahead to save time.
- → What alternatives exist for black grapes in the fruit selection?
Blueberries or blackberries can be substituted to add color variety while complementing the autumn theme.
- → How should hot sugar syrup be handled safely?
Use caution when boiling sugar; keep children away and handle with heat-resistant tools to avoid burns during the candy coating process.
- → What dips complement the poison apples best?
Caramel and dark chocolate sauces provide rich contrast to the tartness and sweetness of the candy coating.