High-Protein Caramel Apple Bark Recipe
This High-Protein Caramel Apple Bark combines tart Granny Smith apples, crunchy pretzels, and creamy caramel with rich dark chocolate enhanced by a vanilla lucuma protein boost. A perfect guilt-free treat with layers of texture and sweet-salty flavor, ideal for a nutritious snack or dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped into small pieces
Chocolate Layer
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 scoop Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma
Caramel
- 15 caramel chews
- 3 tbsp coconut cream
Toppings
- 35 mini pretzels
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple: Peel the apple if desired, wash it thoroughly, then chop into small pieces. Soak the chopped apple in a bowl of room temperature water with a pinch of salt for 5-10 minutes to help reduce oxidation. Rinse under cold water and pat dry.
- Melt Chocolate and Mix Protein: In a small bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips with coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between until the chocolate melts smoothly. Stir in one scoop of Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma until well combined.
- Assemble Chocolate Base: Reserve about ¼ cup of the melted chocolate mixture. Pour the remaining chocolate into an 8×8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. Spread evenly using the back of a spoon.
- Add Toppings: Arrange the mini pretzels in a single layer on top of the chocolate, then evenly distribute the dried apple pieces over the pretzels.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the caramel chews with the coconut cream. Stir occasionally until the caramel melts completely and forms a creamy sauce.
- Drizzle Caramel and Chocolate: Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the assembled bark, followed by drizzling the reserved melted chocolate on top for a marbled effect.
- Finish and Chill: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top. Place the baking dish in the freezer for 30 minutes to set the bark firmly.
- Serve and Store: Once firm, chop the bark into large chunks and enjoy. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Soaking apples in salted water helps prevent browning and keeps them fresh-looking.
- Use room temperature water for soaking apples to avoid shocking the fruit.
- If you don’t have a microwave, melt chocolate and coconut oil using a double boiler method gently on the stove.
- For extra flavor, consider sprinkling cinnamon lightly on the apples before assembling.
- Store the bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent moisture absorption and maintain crispness.
Keywords: protein bark, caramel apple bark, high protein dessert, healthy chocolate bark, gluten free snack
