Chocolate Caramel Apple Pops

I've been buying apples this year from a local produce market down the road from my house. I must say, I love doing this so much more than buying apples from the grocery store for a few reasons. 
I've gotten to know the owners and they share information about the apples or upcoming produce that they'll be selling. Pears are coming up and I am !!!!!! about that.
I get to support a small local company which as a yoga teacher and business owner (that's weird/amazing to say) it is so important to me because I am grateful when others do the same!
And I get amazing quality produce. The apples I get are huge and delicious. I love it. 

As you can tell, I'm excited about the apples in my life and when I'm excited about something I'm all in. I tend to "accidentally" buy too much of it or get way over the top obsessed. In this case, I bought tons of apples. A good problem to have, I must say. 

Now that it's officially fall, I'm over my morning oatmeal and back on the smoothie train in the typical backwards fashion that I am. I figured that I need some way to use these apples in a fun way. That's where these apple pops come in.

Sure, you can make slice up the apples, dip them in chocolate, top 'em with caramel and other fun toppings and just eat them like that. But putting them on a stick just amps up the excitement factor. What's more fun than eating a sweet chocolatey apple on a stick? I really can't think of too many things!

So grab your sticks, go on the hunt for some of your favorite apples, and let's make some apple pops! 

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL APPLE POPS

2 large apples of choice
1 bar of chocolate
Date caramel, recipe below
Peanut butter
Pumpkin seeds
Hemp seeds
Graham cracker crumbs
Cake/cookie sticks

Slice apple into thick slices. You want the apples to be thick enough to put the stick in so that it stays in place but not too thick that it's hard to bite into. Melt chocolate on a plate to make it easier to coat the apples in chocolate. Cover apples with chocolate and place in fridge to set up for about 20 minutes. Top with date caramel and additional toppings of choice. The ones I used are listed above and I highly recommend them but also encourage you to get creative. Once the slices are complete place the sticks into the apples, serve, enjoy!

Date Caramel Recipe

2 cups dates
1/2 cup water
Pinch of salt

Add dates to blender or food processor. Pulse a few times. Add a bit of water and salt. Pulse. Continuously add water throughout blending until a smooth paste is formed. I usually use just under 1/2 cup but the amount of liquid will depend on the moisture content of your dates.

You'll most likely have extra date caramel which can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days. I like to use this as a snack dip or on top of ice cream.