Pin It A spooky, enchanting treat board featuring poison apples and a selection of Halloween-inspired snacks—perfect for parties and festive gatherings.
This treat board quickly became my Halloween favorite for impressing guests with minimal effort.
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 It Nothing beats gathering around this spooky board with family and sharing laughter over each creepy candy choice.
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.
Nutritional Information
Calories 310, Total Fat 4 g, Carbohydrates 70 g, Protein 2 g per serving
Pin It Enjoy this treat board for an easy and festive Halloween centerpiece that delights all ages.
Questions About This Recipe
- → How do you achieve the black candy coating on the apples?
Heat sugar, corn syrup, and water to 300°F, then stir in black gel food coloring before dipping the apples quickly to create a glossy, hard candy shell.
- → What types of apples work best for this board?
Small, firm apples like Granny Smith are ideal because they hold the coating well and provide a tart contrast to the sweet candy shell.
- → Can the black grapes be substituted?
Yes, blueberries or blackberries can replace black grapes to maintain color variety and freshness on the board.
- → What sauces pair well with the poison apples?
Caramel and dark chocolate sauces offer rich, sweet complements that enhance the candy-coated apples' flavor.
- → What precautions should be taken when preparing the candy coating?
Handle the hot sugar mixture carefully to avoid burns, and use a candy thermometer for precise temperature control to achieve the perfect hard crack stage.
- → How long can the assembled board be served before quality declines?
For best texture and flavor, serve the board immediately or within a few hours before the candy coating softens.