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 has become a favorite at our family gatherings every October—the poison apples are always a hit especially with kids.
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 This board always brings our family together for a spooky sweet moment we look forward to every year.
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 This poison apple board is the perfect final touch to your Halloween party season—easy to assemble and fun to share.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I achieve the perfect candy coating on the apples?
Ensure the sugar mixture reaches the hard crack stage (300°F) without stirring during boiling. Quickly dip the apples to coat evenly and let excess drip off before setting.
- → Can I use other types of apples for this board?
Granny Smith apples provide a tart contrast and firm texture, but any crisp apple variety works well for candy coating and dipping.
- → What are good alternatives for black gel food coloring?
You can use activated charcoal powder or black cocoa powder to achieve dark hues naturally, though results may vary in shine.
- → How should the treat board be stored before serving?
Keep the assembled board in a cool area and serve within a few hours to maintain the candy coating's crispness and freshness of snacks.
- → What beverages pair well with this Halloween treat board?
Warm drinks like hot cider or mulled wine complement the sweet and tart flavors, enhancing the festive experience.
- → Are there tips for safely handling hot sugar syrup?
Use caution, wear oven mitts, and avoid stirring during boiling to prevent sugar crystallization and splashes. Work quickly when dipping.