Description

A festive, no-bake holiday dessert featuring crisp apple slices drizzled with homemade caramel sauce and topped with nuts, chia seeds, and chocolate chips for a balanced, energizing treat.

Ingredients

Scale

4 large apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced into thin wedges
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
Pinch of flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions

Wash apples and slice them into thin wedges, leaving the skin on. Arrange slices on a plate or parchment paper.
In a small to medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until foamy.
Add brown sugar and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until dissolved and mixture resembles wet sand.
Slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking vigorously. The mixture will bubble up.
Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
Arrange apple slices in a single layer on a serving platter, overlapping slightly.
Drizzle about half of the warm caramel sauce over the apples.
Sprinkle chopped nuts, chia seeds, and chocolate chips evenly over the caramel.
Add mini marshmallows if using, and finish with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Serve immediately while the caramel is warm and chocolate is soft.

Notes

Use room temperature cream to prevent the sauce from seizing. Stick to firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji to maintain structure. The sauce will thicken as it cools; microwave for 10 seconds if needed. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Do not freeze as apples release water and become mushy.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
Calories: 180
Sugar: 24
Sodium: 120
Fat: 8
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 4
Protein: 3

Keywords: caramel apple nachos, holiday dessert, easy no-bake dessert, healthy holiday snack, apple nachos, fall recipes, party food