Save A festive and interactive dessert board featuring crisp apples, creamy caramel, salty pretzels, and a variety of decadent dips and toppings, perfect for sharing at fall gatherings.
I put together this board for my annual fall party and everyone loved dipping and decorating their own slices. It sparked laughter and creativity at the table as guests experimented with different flavors.
Ingredients
- Fresh Fruit: 4 medium crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), sliced
- Lemon: 1 lemon, juiced (to prevent apple browning)
- Caramel Sauce: 1 cup prepared caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Chocolate Sauce: ½ cup chocolate sauce
- Cream Cheese Dip: ½ cup cream cheese dip (optional, for variety)
- Mini Pretzels: 2 cups mini salty pretzels
- Graham Crackers: 1 cup graham crackers, broken into pieces
- Vanilla Wafers or Butter Cookies: 1 cup vanilla wafers or butter cookies
- Pecans: ½ cup chopped toasted pecans
- Mini Chocolate Chips: ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Toffee Bits: ¼ cup toffee bits
- Sprinkles: ¼ cup rainbow or chocolate sprinkles
- Flaky Sea Salt: to taste
Instructions
- Slice Apples:
- Wash and slice the apples into wedges. Toss slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Arrange Fruit:
- Arrange apple slices in a fan or circular pattern on a large serving board or platter.
- Prepare Dips:
- Place small bowls of caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, and cream cheese dip on the board.
- Add Crackers & Pretzels:
- Fill in around the apples and dips with mini pretzels, graham crackers, and vanilla wafers.
- Set Out Toppings:
- Offer toppings—chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits, sprinkles, and flaky sea salt—in small bowls or sprinkled over the board.
- Serve:
- Invite guests to dip apple slices or pretzels into their choice of sauces and roll in toppings for a fully customizable treat.
Save Sharing this board with my family brought back memories of childhood caramel apple treats, now made easier and more social for everyone to enjoy together.
Required Tools
Large wooden board or platter, small serving bowls, sharp knife, cutting board, and tongs for dipping make setup quick and simple.
Allergen Information
Contains milk, wheat, and tree nuts. Always check packaging carefully if serving guests with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 320 calories, 11 g total fat, 55 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein.
Save This board is a beautiful way to celebrate the season and makes dessert easy to share and enjoy together.
Recipe Guide
- → How do I keep apple slices from browning?
Toss the sliced apples in fresh lemon juice before arranging to help preserve their color and freshness.
- → Can I use other fruits on the board?
Yes, pears or sliced bananas work well and add variety to your dessert arrangement.
- → What are some gluten-free options?
Choose gluten-free pretzels and cookies so everyone can enjoy the charcuterie board.
- → Which dips pair best with apples?
Caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, and cream cheese dip all complement the sweet and tart flavors of apples.
- → How should I serve the toppings?
Offer toppings like chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips, and sprinkles in small bowls or sprinkle them directly on the board.
- → What drinks go well with the board?
Hot apple cider or a crisp Riesling is a delicious pairing for this treat.