Okay, friends, I’m about to let you in on a little secret: I have a serious weakness for this Caramel Apple Snickers Salad. It’s sweet, crunchy, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying. It’s the kind of dessert that I could eat an entire bowl of and not even feel a tiny bit guilty. (Okay, maybe a little guilty, but it’s totally worth it!)
This salad is like a party in your mouth, with the tartness of Granny Smith apples, the sweetness of caramel, the crunch of Snickers, and the creaminess of vanilla pudding. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures, and it’s always a hit at potlucks, picnics, or just a casual get-together with friends.
I love how easy this salad is to make. It comes together in minutes, and you can even prep it ahead of time, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re entertaining. So grab your ingredients, put on your stretchy pants, and let’s get mixing!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You only need about 10 minutes to whip this up!
- Sweet and Tart: The perfect balance of sweet candy bars and tangy apples.
- Kid-Approved: It’s like a candy bar in a salad, and who doesn’t love that?
Ingredients for Caramel Apple Snickers Salad
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dessert salad:
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: We’re using instant pudding for convenience, but you can use homemade pudding if you prefer.
- Whole Milk: This is what we’ll use to make the pudding.
- Cool Whip or Whipped Cream: I like to use Cool Whip for convenience, but you can also use homemade whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy.
- Granny Smith Apples: These tart apples are the perfect complement to the sweet caramel and Snickers.
- Snickers Bars: Because who doesn’t love Snickers?
- Caramel Sauce: Optional, but highly recommended! It adds an extra layer of sweetness and gooeyness.
Variations
- Nutty Delight: Add some chopped peanuts, walnuts, or pecans for extra crunch.
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Fold in some mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars.
- Fruity Fun: Try adding other fruits like grapes, bananas, or berries.
- Marshmallow Madness: Add some mini marshmallows for extra sweetness and a fun texture.
How to Make the Recipe
1. Mix the Pudding
In a large bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and whole milk until smooth and creamy. This only takes about 2 minutes.
2. Add Whipped Topping
Gently fold in the Cool Whip or whipped cream, making sure to keep that nice, fluffy texture.
3. Prepare the Apples and Snickers
Core and chop 5 of the Granny Smith apples and toss them in lemon juice or 7-Up if you’re prepping in advance. This keeps them from browning. Chop 5 Snickers bars into bite-sized pieces. If you’re anything like me, a few pieces might disappear during this step!
4. Combine Everything
Fold the chopped apples and Snickers into the pudding mixture. Stir it all together until everything is well coated and deliciously combined.
5. Chill
Cover the bowl and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. This gives the flavors time to mingle and the salad to firm up a bit.
6. Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, chop the remaining apple and Snickers bar and sprinkle them on top. Drizzle with caramel sauce if you’re feeling extra indulgent!
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Prevent Browning: Toss your chopped apples with lemon juice or 7-Up if you’re making this ahead to keep them from browning.
- Chill Time: Give it at least an hour in the fridge for best results—it helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Sweeten the Whipped Cream: If you’re using homemade whipped cream, you can sweeten it with a bit of powdered sugar.
How to Serve
This Caramel Apple Snickers Salad is best served cold, straight from the fridge. It pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alongside other fall desserts at your next gathering. Trust me, this is one dish that’ll have people coming back for seconds.
Make Ahead
- To Refrigerate: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add the final toppings right before serving.
- To Freeze: Unfortunately, this salad doesn’t freeze well due to the apples and whipped topping, but it comes together so fast, you won’t need to!
FAQs
Can I use different apples?
Yes! If you prefer a sweeter apple, try Honeycrisp or Gala. They pair beautifully with the sweet Snickers.
Can I make this in advance?
Definitely! Just be sure to toss your apples in lemon juice or 7-Up to prevent browning, and keep it chilled until ready to serve.
Can I skip the caramel sauce?
Absolutely. The salad is sweet enough on its own, but if you’re in the mood for a little extra indulgence, go for it!
Conclusion
There you have it! A simple, delicious, and addictive dessert salad that will have everyone wanting more. Enjoy your Caramel Apple Snickers Salad, and happy snacking!
Caramel Apple Snickers Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 Servings 1x
- Category: Salads, Desserts
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
This sweet and creamy Caramel Apple Snickers Salad is a fun and easy dessert that combines tart Granny Smith apples with chunks of Snickers bars and a fluffy vanilla pudding mixture. Drizzled with caramel sauce, it’s perfect for potlucks, holidays, or any time you need a quick crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 8 oz Cool Whip (or 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks)
- 6 Granny Smith apples (divided, reserve 1 for garnish)
- 6 full-size Snickers bars (divided, reserve 1 for garnish)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
-
Make the Pudding Mixture:
In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and milk until smooth and creamy. Fold in the Cool Whip or whipped cream until fully combined. -
Prepare the Apples and Snickers:
Core and chop 5 of the Granny Smith apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss the chopped apples with lemon juice or 7-Up if making the salad in advance to prevent browning. Pat the apples dry.
Chop 5 of the Snickers bars into bite-sized pieces. -
Assemble the Salad:
Gently fold the chopped apples and Snickers into the pudding mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. -
Add Toppings and Serve:
Just before serving, chop the remaining apple and Snickers bar for garnish. Sprinkle them on top of the salad and drizzle with caramel sauce if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Whipped Cream Alternative: If using whipped cream, beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. You can sweeten or flavor the cream if you prefer.
- Make Ahead Tip: If you’re preparing the salad ahead of time, toss the apples in lemon juice or 7-Up to keep them from browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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