Pin A spooky, enchanting treat board featuring poison apples and a selection of Halloween-inspired snacks—perfect for parties and festive gatherings.
This treat board brings a fun twist to traditional snacks and is always a hit with my family during the spooky season.
Ingredients
- Poison Apples: 6 small apples (preferably Granny Smith), 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup water, ½ tsp black gel food coloring, ½ tsp vanilla extract, wooden sticks
- Dips & Sauces: ½ cup caramel sauce, ½ cup dark chocolate sauce
- Sweet Treats: 1 cup chocolate-covered pretzel rods, 1 cup gummy worms, 1 cup marshmallows, ½ cup Halloween-themed candies (e.g., candy corn, jelly beans, eyeball candies), ½ cup chocolate bark broken into pieces
- Fruits & Extras: ½ cup black grapes, ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Wash and thoroughly dry the apples. Insert wooden sticks into the tops and set aside.
- Step 2:
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3:
- Increase heat and boil (without stirring) until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer, about 7–8 minutes.
- Step 4:
- Remove from heat. Quickly stir in black gel food coloring and vanilla extract.
- Step 5:
- Working carefully, dip each apple into the candy mixture, swirling to coat completely. Let excess drip off, and place coated apples on a parchment-lined tray to set.
- Step 6:
- Arrange the poison apples in the center of a large serving board.
- Step 7:
- Neatly arrange caramel and chocolate sauces in small bowls for dipping.
- Step 8:
- Fill in the board with chocolate-covered pretzel rods, gummy worms, marshmallows, Halloween candies, chocolate bark, grapes, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately or within a few hours for best results.
Pin My family loves gathering around this creative treat board every Halloween, making sweet memories each year.
Notes
For a more dramatic effect, drizzle extra black candy over apples once set. Pair with hot cider or mulled wine for adults.
Required Tools
Medium saucepan, candy thermometer, wooden sticks, parchment paper, large serving board, small bowls for sauces.
Allergen Information
Contains tree fruit (apples, grapes), soy (in some chocolates), dairy (in caramel, chocolate), gluten (in pretzels depending on brand). Some candies may contain nuts, dairy, or gluten—always check labels.
Pin This treat board is sure to be the highlight of your Halloween party and is simple enough to prepare with kids.
Recipe Questions
- → How do you achieve the black candy coating on the apples?
The coating is made by boiling sugar, corn syrup, and water to the hard crack stage, then adding black gel food coloring before dipping the apples to create a shiny, dark shell.
- → What types of apples work best for this treat?
Small, firm apples like Granny Smith are ideal because their tartness balances the sweetness and they hold up well when coated.
- → Can the snack board be prepared in advance?
It's best to assemble and serve the board shortly after coating the apples and arranging snacks to maintain freshness and texture.
- → What are good dipping sauces to pair with the poison apples?
Caramel sauce and dark chocolate sauce complement the candy-coated apples and add rich, smooth flavors.
- → Are there alternative fruits or snacks that can be added?
Yes, you can substitute black grapes with berries or add nuts and roasted seeds for extra texture and flavor variety.