One of my favorite things about fall is apples … caramel apples … caramel apples dipped in chocolate. OK, I have a few favorite apple treats. I haven’t even mentioned apple muffins, apple pies … I could go on and on!
These clusters are much easier and faster to make than dipping apples in caramel … letting the caramel set up … then dipping it in chocolate and sprinkling with nuts and letting it set up again! Plus I added these pretty Autumn Sixlets … they look like pearls!!!
Do you ever have one of those projects that starts with one item and then you build around it? This was one of those projects for me. It all started at Cracker Barrel … I shared my Cracker Barrel obsession a while ago … I purchased the cast iron skillet that I intended to buy … went outside the store … where the family was patiently waiting … in rocking chairs. My sister-in-law showed me this little bag of Autumn Sixlets that she bought to put in a candy dish at Thanksgiving … well, I simply HAD to have some too … went back in the store, before anyone could stop me and bought a bag.
That was back in July … I’ve been trying to decide how to use the Sixlets and came up with these clusters … flavors of fall that are decorated with the colors of fall.
This is what you will need …
- 1 pound of Chocolate CandiQuik (candy melts or coating), melted according to directions on package
- 1 cup Caramel Bits
- 1 cup dehydrated apples (cut into small pieces)
- 1/2 cup salted peanuts (roughly chopped)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup Autumn Shimmer Sixlets
- A tray lined with wax paper, parchment paper or silicone mat
- Pour the melted chocolate (CandiQuik) into a large mixing bowl.
- Add caramel bits, coarsely chopped peanuts and apple bits to melted chocolate.
- Mix well.
- Drop chocolate mixture (I used a tablespoon) on prepared tray and add a few pretty Sixlets to each cluster. Chill for a few minutes. Makes about 30 clusters
Can you see the bits of chewy caramel, apple and peanuts? It’s better to taste than see 😉
Now, for the (very opinionated) family poll …
– The hubby (who scoffed at the idea of dehydrated apples) really liked them, Son #1 liked them (he even knew what was in them), Sons #2 & #3 are out-of-town … let’s see if any are left when they return … I liked the chewiness of the apples and caramel, creaminess of chocolate, the crunchiness of nuts with that little bit of salt and the pretty Sixlets made them extra special 🙂
Thank you to Miss CandiQuik for providing me with the chocolate 🙂 All opinions are my own.
I ♥ YOUR COMMENTS!
♦ I share my stuff at these fun parties ♦
SWEET SIMPLE STUFF 
If you chop up real apples, do they get soggy or go bad? I’m wondering why you chose to use dehydrated apples.
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To use real apples, you would need to dry the apples pieces because the juice would seize the chocolate (water and chocolate don’t mix). I believe the apples would get yucky if you don’t eat them rather quickly. I would love fresh apples but decided that it wouldn’t work for me 🙂
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Thanks for the answer to my “burning question”. KNEW there had to be a reason.
Those fall Sixlets are so pretty.
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Tavette, you made me think … I really want to figure out a way to use fresh apples … I working on it 😉
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You have hit the jackpot here, my genius friend! I live the idea of caramel apple but dont enjoy them as there is never enough caramel and chocolate compared to the apple.
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Thank you Dinaz 🙂 My personal opinion is … you never can have too much caramel!
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Love your idea, I don’t make the caramel apples because of the time and mess, this just looks so easy. I have a hard time chewing the dried apples but I bet these could be made with some kind of chewy apple candy cut into little pieces.
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Thank you Kelly 😉 It is easy and the dried apples were about the same texture as raisins … let me know how the candies turn out!
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I think Ican even master these!
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They are easy peasy 😉
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These really do look yummy and easy peasy, as you say. Can’t wait to try them.
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Thank you Ellen 😉
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I was thinking the same about the fresh apples, I was dipping some pastries today and I was thinking how much trouble it was to bite into the whole apple and how much better it would be if they can in little sticks like the pastry. Your dried apples are a good solution.
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Wow that looks awesome and so simple. I love when recipes are simple. Thanks for sharing
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Using dried apples is genius! Can’t wait to make these yummy looking treats:)
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Thank you Karene … you are too kind 😉
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These look great. I find that I love dried fruit when used in stuff like this. I’ll have to try these.
I’d love for you to stop by my link party, Manic Monday. Starts tonight at 8pm EST. Hope you stop by!
Renea – http://cupcake-n-bake.blogspot.com
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Thank you Renea 🙂 and thank you for the invite!
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These look wonderful!! I love dried apples and this is the perfect recipe for them! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you Lisa 😉
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How did these slip past me last week?! I’m in love w/ these – I’ve never seen anything quite like them and I love that!
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Thank you Sarah 🙂
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I was just thinking (should’ve added this in my last comment) that these would also be AWESOME made w/ the Vanilla Candiquik. Ohhhh – I just might have to make a snack this morning 😉
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Excellent idea 😉
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Me again. I forgot you said you got the autumn sixlets at Cracker Barrell which we have but I don’t get there often.
Found them in a little bottle at Walmart in case someone doesn’t live near a C. Barrel. They were in the middle aisle with the special Halloween cake mixes & sprinkles – not in the reg. baking/sprinkle section. They were a little expensive but they sure are pretty. Will have to check prices and ounces at Cracker Barrel as I don’t think there’s enough in the little Walmart bottle (which I’ve already temporarily misplaced).
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Thank you for that info! The bag I bought at CB was 10 ounces @ $3.99.
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