Halloween time is almost here, and I’ve got some fun (and easy!) ways to celebrate, from 3 ingredient Butterfinger caramel apples to spooky bat decorations!
This post is sponsored by Butterfinger. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Dinner at the Zoo possible!
Can I just tell you how excited I am that Halloween is almost here?! It’s definitely one of my favorite holidays of the year – the costumes, the decorations, the CANDY! I’ve got a few fun (and spooky!) ways to celebrate this holiday, and they’re all super easy to create at home. Let’s start with my favorite: 3 ingredient Butterfinger caramel apples.
Butterfingers are one of my favorite Halloween treats, I can’t get enough of that crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery flavor! Butterfinger also happens to pair perfectly with caramel apples, a full must-have in my book. This recipe for Butterfinger caramel apples from the Nestle website is so very simple – it’s just apples, a bag of caramels, and chopped up Butterfinger bars. You don’t even have to turn on the stove or heat up the oven!
When you make these caramel apples, make sure you scrub your apples really well before you coat them with caramel. Some apples come coated with wax and scrubbing them will remove that coating so that the caramel will stick to the apples.
These Butterfinger caramel apples were a HUGE hit with my family and friends! You can either serve them whole or slice them up and put them on a festive tray.
Halloween isn’t complete without some fun decorations. These little bats are actually made from materials that you probably already have on hand, like toilet paper rolls! The first step in the process is to take a toilet paper roll and use your finger to push down on the top to create “ears”. I like to add a piece of tape across the middle of the ears to secure them in place. The next step is to paint your toilet paper rolls black – you can use craft paint, finger paint, whatever you have on hand! The third step is to cut out a bat wing design onto thin craft foam or black felt. Simply wrap the wings around your bats and secure with glue. These bats are great to hang in the trees in your front yard, or you can use them to create a spooky centerpiece.
I created a table centerpiece by drilling a hole in a pumpkin and inserting a cluster of fall branches into the hole. I hung the bats from the branches for an easy yet eye catching design.
I have been busy brainstorming ideas for this year’s Halloween party – you can bet I’ll be serving up some Butterfinger caramel apples and the kids and I have already started working on a flock of bats to decorate! Looking for more Halloween inspiration? Be sure to check out the Butterfinger Halloween Pinterest board for tons of great ideas.
Butterfinger Caramel Apples + Fun Halloween Entertaining Ideas!
Ingredients
- 6 lollipop or wooden craft sticks
- 6 tart apples washed, dried and stems removed
- 1 14 ounce package of caramels
- 1 bag of fun sized Butterfinger bars coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Line tray or baking sheet with wax paper. Insert 1 stick into stem end of each apple.
- Microwave caramels and water in large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 2 minutes; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each apple in melted caramel; scrape excess caramel from bottoms. Quickly roll bottom half of apples in chopped Butterfinger, then place on prepared tray. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until set. Store apples in refrigerator in airtight container. Apples are best if they are served the same day as they are prepared.
Recipe Notes
If caramel becomes firm, return to microwave oven for 20 to 30 seconds or until dipping consistency.
Greg says
I love caramel apples. Chopped Butterfinger would be great on a caramel apple. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. I like the bats too. They look like fun decorations.
Beatrice says
These apples with caramel and Butterfinger look so wonderful!