This unique dessert salad is made with tart apples, Snickers candy bars, and gooey caramel in a rich, creamy filling. Take this dessert salad to a potluck or party, and you will have a big hit on your hands.
Unique and Fun Dessert: Apple Snickers Salad
Have you ever had a dessert salad? I had not until a friend from Michigan introduced this southern girl to the amazing dessert. Snickers Apple salad has become one of my all-time favorites. The contrast of textures and flavors is simply irresistible. Tart apples, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate come together with the tart apples in every bite.
What I really appreciate about this dessert is how quick and easy it is to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, I can whip up a delicious treat that never fails to be a crowd favorite.
Ingredients Needed
Here are the ingredients for this delightful dessert salad that make this sweet and crunchy treat so irresistible.
Types of Apples
- For the best Apple Snickers Salad, I prefer using a mix of sweet and tart apples. Granny Smith apples provide a tangy crunch, while Honeycrisp or Gala apples add sweetness. I usually choose 3-4 medium-sized apples, cored and diced into bite-sized pieces.
- Red Delicious apples can work too, but they tend to be softer. If I’m in a hurry, I might use pre-sliced apples from the grocery store. The key is to have about 3 cups of apple chunks in total.
- Apple Tip: To prevent browning, I toss the cut apples in a bit of lemon juice before mixing them into the salad. This little trick helps maintain their bright color and fresh taste.
Snickers Selection
I use 5-6 king-sized Snickers bars for this recipe. I cut them into small, 1/2-inch pieces. This amount gives a good chocolate-to-apple ratio without overpowering the salad.
If I’m feeling indulgent, I might add an extra bar. For a lighter version, I sometimes use Snickers Minis instead. They’re easier to chop and distribute evenly throughout the salad.
Additional Ingredients
To bring everything together, I use:
- Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding mix and ¾ cup of milk
- Cool Whip: Be sure to allow the Cool Whip to thaw and become soft. I have How To Thaw Cool Whip Tips and Tricks to make it easy for you. If you prefer, you could Make Your Own Homemade Whipped Topping for this recipe.
- Lemon juice
- Mini marshmallows
- Caramel sauce: Garnish
- Chopped peanuts: Optional garnish
Variations and Substitutions
- You can make this recipe dairy-free by using non-dairy milk, such as almond milk, non-dairy pudding mix (many are already dairy-free!), non-dairy whipped topping (CocoWhip is dairy-free), and dairy-free caramel sauce.
- You can use other flavors of pudding mix, such as butterscotch or caramel for this recipe.
Preparing the Snickers Dessert
1
Chopping and Slicing
Begin by washing and coring 4-5 medium apples before chopping them into bite-sized chunks, roughly 1/2 inch in size. To keep the apples from browning, I toss the pieces with a tablespoon of lemon juice, which also gives the salad a refreshing zing. Then, I unwrap 3-4 Snickers bars and chop them into small, 1/4-inch pieces to mix in later.
2
Make Pudding
In a large bowl, I combine 1 cup of vanilla pudding mix with 1/2 cup of milk, whisking until smooth. I fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping for extra creaminess.
3
Prepare Snickers
Next, I unwrap 3-4 Snickers bars and chop them into small pieces, about 1/4 inch each.
4
Combine Ingredients
Fold in the diced apple, Snickers bars, and mini marshmallows into the pudding mixture, reserving 1/4 cup of Snickers for serving. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
5
Serve
To serve, drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with remaining diced Snickers bars.
Fun Ways To Serve Snickers Salad
I like serving Apple Snickers salad in a clear glass bowl with a drizzle of caramel and some chopped peanuts on top. For individual portions, I use small mason jars or dessert cups.
For a fun twist, you could hollow out apples and use them as edible bowls. If you are serving this dessert in the Fall or Winter, serve it with hot apple cider. The warm, comforting flavors complement the cool, creamy dessert perfectly.
Storage and Freshness
Leftovers: If you have leftovers, the Apple Snickers salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored in an air-tight container. Do not though the Snickers, apples, and marshmallows become very soft.
Making Ahead Of Time: If you are making this salad ahead before it’s time to serve, I recommend waiting to add the chopped Snickers bars until just before serving. This prevents them from becoming too soft or melting into the salad.
Taking The Salad To A Potluck: If I bring this dish to a potluck or picnic, I pack the apple mixture and candy separately. I combine them on-site to maintain that perfect balance of crisp and creamy.
Apple Snickers Salad
Ingredients
- 5 cups diced apples, about 6 small Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups chopped Snickers candy bars, 5 to 6 king-sized bars
- 3/4 cup cold milk
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix, 3.4 ounce box
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, or homemade whipped cream
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
Prep the Apples
- Wash, core, and dice the apples into bite-sized chunks, about 1/2 inch each.5 cups diced apples
- Toss the diced apples with the lemon juice right away to prevent browning.1 tablespoon lemon juice
Chop the Snickers
- Unwrap the Snickers bars and chop into small pieces, about 1/4 inch each. Set aside 1/4 cup of the chopped candy for garnish.2 cups chopped Snickers candy bars
Make the Pudding Base
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cold milk and pudding mix until smooth and starting to thicken.3/4 cup cold milk, 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
- Fold in the Cool Whip until fully combined with no streaks remaining.8 ounces Cool Whip
Combine the Salad
- Add the diced apples, chopped Snickers (minus the reserved garnish portion), and mini marshmallows to the pudding mixture. Stir gently until evenly combined.1 cup mini marshmallows
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors come together.
Serve and Garnish
- Before serving, drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with the reserved chopped Snickers.1/4 cup caramel sauce
Gina’s Notes and Tips
Storage: Store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to 2 days. Stir well before serving. The candy bars will soften over time and the salad may be less firm after sitting.
Freezing: Does not freeze well. The apples and whipped topping don’t hold up once thawed.
Substitutions: Caramel pudding mix in place of vanilla (tested, Gina’s preferred version outside the original). Sugar-free instant pudding mix for a lighter version. Snickers minis in place of king-sized bars, cut in half so pieces stay noticeable. Homemade whipped cream in place of Cool Whip.