This Halloween Try Candy Apples Inspired By A Classic Summer Treat

Whether or not the weather agrees, fall has officially begun — at least according to brands like Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, and Krispy Kreme, who released their autumn menus during the dog days of summer. Even though Halloween is still a ways away, it's never too early to start testing out yummy festive recipes — so if you're looking for a way to get in the spirit of the season, try making s'mores candy apples. They're not the ones you demolished as a kid, but you'll still feel the nostalgia of eating traditional candy apples while enjoying the s'mores flavor upgrade.

This version of the classic dessert includes — you guessed it — chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker elements, all based around an apple on a stick. You can omit the sugar, water, and red food coloring present in the traditional candy coating, as you're going to replace it with the s'mores flavor profile. And unlike the regular dessert, which requires using a candy thermometer, this variation is much more fun and kid-friendly to make — perfect for a Halloween celebration with family, or any fun fall festivity.

While it may sound complicated to top your apples with three different flavors, making s'mores candy apples is a pretty simple process. Just like with the regular version, you'll need skewers — and for a Halloween-themed event, you can even go with spooky ones or sticks made to look like tree branches. Before you begin cooking anything, you'll want to insert your skewers into your apples after removing their stems. Typically, Granny Smiths are used for candy apples, since their tartness perfectly balances out sweet toppings.

Then, start with the marshmallow element first. To make this flavor into a sauce, melt marshmallows and butter over the stove together — or, heat up a jar of marshmallow crème in a bowl in the microwave until it's smooth, pausing at 30-second intervals. Dip each apple in the sauce, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and let them refrigerate while you prepare a chocolate sauce. You can melt chocolate chips or a chocolate bar in the microwave or on a double boiler of the stove, and repeat the dipping process on the bottom half of your apples. To round out the final s'mores flavor, roll your fruit in graham cracker crumbs right after it's coated with chocolate — and once everything sets, you're ready to take a bite.