Save A spooky, enchanting treat board featuring poison apples and a selection of Halloween-inspired snacks—perfect for parties and festive gatherings.
This was an instant hit with friends and family during our spooky Halloween gathering last year.
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 This treat board has become a family favorite for Halloween, bringing a touch of magic and spookiness to our celebrations.
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). Some candies may contain nuts, dairy, or gluten—always check labels.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 310, Total Fat: 4 g, Carbohydrates: 70 g, Protein: 2 g
Save This poison apple treat board is the perfect spooky centerpiece—a wonderful way to impress your guests and delight young and old alike.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of apples work best for this treat board?
Small crisp apples like Granny Smith are ideal due to their tartness and firm texture, which holds up well when coated.
- → How do you achieve the shiny black coating on the apples?
The coating is made by boiling sugar, corn syrup, and water to the hard crack stage, then adding black gel food coloring before dipping the apples.
- → Can the candy coating be customized in color or flavor?
Yes, you can adjust the food coloring for different hues or add flavor extracts to the hot syrup before dipping.
- → What are some suggested accompaniments for the treat board?
Include caramel and dark chocolate sauces, chocolate-covered pretzels, gummies, marshmallows, themed candies, grapes, dried cranberries, and roasted pumpkin seeds for variety.
- → How should the treat board be stored before serving?
Set the coated apples on parchment to harden, then assemble the board just before serving. The board can be kept covered in a cool place for a few hours.