I did my student teaching in a first grade classroom where apples were a big part of the curriculum. Johnny Appleseed, planting apple seeds, apple varieties, apple math, an apple for the teacher, an apple a day keeps the doctor away…

 

One of the activities we did was to chart our favorite apples. We sampled Granny Smith green, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Gala. Much like the 6-year olds, I was surprised at how different they tasted. 

 

I deemed Red Delicious my favorite and bought them faithfully for the next 30 years. 

 

Today we celebrate #NationalAppleDay to raise awareness about the diversity of apple varieties, encourage the preservation of traditional orchards, and promote the consumption of locally grown apples.

 

And it wouldn’t be fall without covering at least one of these apples in caramel! 

 

Check out the Sheet Pan Caramel Apple recipe below for a super easy treat for your family:

 

Ingredients 

 

– 4 large apples, sliced  

– 1 cup caramel sauce  

– 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted  

– 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (or your favorite nuts)  

– 1/4 cup mini marshmallows  

– 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)  

– 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers (optional)  

– 1/4 tsp sea salt (optional, for garnish)  

 

Directions 

 

1. Prepare the Apples: Wash and slice the apples into thin wedges. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan.  

2. Drizzle the Caramel: Heat the caramel sauce in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to soften. Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the apple slices.  

3. Add the Toppings: Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the caramel apples.  

4. Decorate: Sprinkle the chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, sprinkles, and crushed graham crackers over the caramel apples as desired.  

5. Serve: Let the caramel and chocolate set for a few minutes. If you’d like, garnish with a light sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty combo. Serve immediately!  

 

ENJOY!