How to make Festive Date “Caramel” Apples for the Holidays
Who doesn’t love a good viral trending recipe? This holiday season, give the date-covered caramel apple trend a try. This concept replaces the traditional candy apple wrap or caramel dip with soft, fresh Medjool dates, offering a more naturally healthy approach to this sweet treat. Then drizzle it, decorate it and slice it beautifully for sharable serving! Here’s how:
It’s important to start with a few key ingredients: number one is fresh soft, pitted Medjool dates. An ample amount will be required to cover each apple completely when rolled out. Next, big green apples of a sweet and sour variety, such as Granny Smith, plus wooden caramel apple sticks. Finally, the fun stuff — dark chocolate and white chocolate candy melts for drizzling, crushed nuts or seeds, mini caramel or butterscotch chips, candy bars for crushing, sprinkles. Go wild; there are no rules when it comes to decorating! Now to start:
Step one: Split and pit several large Medjool dates and place them close together on a piece of wax paper. They will need to be close enough to overlap when rolled out to form a thin “sheet,” much like a candy or caramel apple wrap.
Step two: Wash and dry as many apples as desired. Remove the stems and pierce the apple in the center with a wooden candy apple stick. Then place one apple on the date sheet. Using the wax paper to assist, tightly form the date sheet around the apple, covering it completely.
Step three: Time to decorate! Drizzle with melted chocolate or colored candy melts (great for a theme party!) and load it up with festive sprinkles or small candies (like mini M&Ms). This is the fun part for the little ones so get the whole family involved!
That’s it! Simply repeat with as many apples as desired. The apples can be refrigerated until ready to serve. Then make them the center of a dessert charcuterie board, slicing just before serving.
When it comes to holiday hosting and serving, sometimes it’s best to keep it simple! With fun and easy foods from appetizers to desserts, the main focus should be on the celebration itself and connecting with guests, not the fuss of preparing a feast.
With so many delicious local provisions, such as the plethora stocked at the Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry, a little help from the store can result in a scrumptious spread without the stress! Stop in or order online here for holiday hosting, shopping and gifting!