Easy Salted Toffee Caramel Apples: A Delicious Halloween Treat & The Curious History of “Halloween Apples”

Growing up in a suburban Winnipeg neighborhood, the crisp autumn air on Halloween night was often filled with a familiar, sing-song chant: “HALLOWEEN APP-LES!” As we eagerly sought candy from our generous neighbors, this phrase was shouted interchangeably with “Trick or Treat.” Sometimes, we’d even dare to use the longer, more notorious rhyme: “Trick or Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. Not too big, not too small, just the size of Montreal!”

As a child, I never questioned the logic behind “Halloween Apples” nor understood its deeper meaning; it was simply part of our Halloween lexicon. The thought of actually receiving an apple instead of candy was unheard of. However, if those apples had been these delightful Salted Toffee Halloween Caramel Apples, my perspective would have been entirely different! These gourmet-tasting caramel apples are incredibly popular during the fall season and make for an absolutely perfect Halloween treat, whether for parties or simply to enjoy.

Despite their sophisticated flavor and appearance, these Halloween caramel apples are surprisingly quick and easy to make. This recipe leverages the convenience of store-bought caramels, which are then enhanced by a decadent dip in crunchy, salted toffee bits. It’s a simple caramel apple recipe that delivers a truly gourmet experience without the fuss.

As a child, “Halloween Apples” felt like an extended way of saying “give me candy,” perhaps with an implied “please” tacked on at the end. I truly never expected to actually receive apples, and when I occasionally did, I never connected them to the chant. With Halloween approaching, I found myself reminiscing about past celebrations and became curious about the origins of this unique phrase. Was “Halloween Apples” merely a “Winnipeg thing,” a quirk of my hometown?

Living outside of Winnipeg as an adult in Western Canada, I’ve grown accustomed to moments of blank stares and awkward pauses when I use local Winnipeg slang, or “Pegger” dialect as we’re sometimes known. Words like “booters” from my childhood in Winnipeg often draw puzzled looks. While some individuals from the eastern parts of Saskatchewan might grasp a few of our unique terms, it’s generally a stretch for most Canadians.

This linguistic isolation led me to research the phrase “Halloween Apples,” and my initial findings suggested it was indeed predominantly a “Winnipeg thing.” It sparked a deeper curiosity about other regional terms from my beloved prairie home.

Here are a few other popular “Winnipeg things” that might sound unfamiliar, depending on your geographic background. My cherished “booter” is, of course, on the list:

• Dainties: A charming term for an assortment of baked treats and small goodies, perfect for a gathering.
• Social: A unique fundraising event, typically hosted by an engaged couple to raise money for their upcoming wedding, often featuring a dance, drinks, and a late lunch.
• Quinzee: A traditional and fun method for building a snow fort, where a large mound of snow is created, allowed to harden, and then hollowed out.
• Booter: The unwelcome sensation when snow or water infiltrates your boot or footwear – a common occurrence during our harsh winters.
• Cabin: Used interchangeably with “cottage,” referring to a recreational property, often by a lake.
• Honey Dill: A distinctive and highly popular condiment, almost exclusively paired with chicken fingers in Manitoba.
• Gotch (or “Gitch”): A colloquial term for underwear.
• 2-4: A straightforward reference to a case containing 24 beers.
• Dike: A protective barrier, typically constructed from sandbags, used to hold back floodwaters, especially relevant during spring thaws.
• Jam Buster: A particularly delicious type of donut, characterized by a sweet, jam-filled center.
• Late Lunch: A meal served around midnight at a “social” (as defined above), usually comprising rye bread, various cheeses, deli meats, and pickles.
• Pickerel: Known elsewhere as Walleye, this is Manitoba’s official provincial fish, a popular catch and local delicacy.
• Vendor: A dedicated beer store, distinct from liquor stores in some provinces.
• LC: An abbreviation for “Liquor Commission,” referring to the provincial liquor store.
• Salisbury House (or “Sals”): An iconic Manitoba restaurant, famous for being open 24 hours, a local institution.
• Nip: A specific type of burger served at Salisbury House restaurants (see definition above), a beloved local menu item.

Reference: Global News on Prairie Dialect

This exploration led me to further question: were we the only ones who chanted “Halloween Apples”? Or did this phrase resonate in other parts of the country?

This is what it sounds like:

According to Wikipedia, “in some parts of Canada, children sometimes say ‘Halloween apples’ instead of ‘trick or treat.’ This probably originated when the toffee apple was a popular type of candy. Apple-giving in much of Canada, however, has been taboo since the 1960s when stories (of almost certainly questionable authenticity) appeared of razors hidden inside Halloween apples; parents began to check over their children’s ‘loot’ for safety before allowing them to eat it.”

I couldn’t fathom a worse use of my trick-or-treating bag’s prime real estate than apples! Not to mention the precious minutes and breath I’d squandered at the doors of those apple-bestowing houses. Yes, I know… apparently, I had asked for them! Fortunately for me, I trick-or-treated in the latter part of the 1970s, so the razor blade scare was still very real. This conveniently provided a justification for me to toss those unappealing apples directly into the trash upon returning home.

However, had they been delicious caramel apples, that would have been an entirely different narrative! I would have been absolutely thrilled to find a gourmet caramel apple in my Halloween haul. Alas, such a delightful event never materialized during my childhood trick-or-treating adventures.

This historical tidbit also prompted me to ponder the deeper connection between caramel apples and the Halloween festivities themselves.

🌡️ Storing Your Caramel Apples

To keep these delightful Salted Toffee Caramel Apples fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When properly stored, they will maintain their quality and flavor for up to 5 days, allowing you to enjoy them long after the Halloween festivities.

A Canadian Prairie Halloween Tradition.

Ultimately, my curiosity about “Halloween Apples” led me to conduct my own informal “straw poll.” I asked various people I knew if they had ever heard or used this unique phrase during their childhood Halloweens. Interestingly, I discovered several individuals across the Canadian prairies – from various cities and towns – who confirmed using “Halloween Apples.” While most had some connection to Manitoba, a few insisted they had absolutely no known association with the province. Crucially, not a single person I spoke to from Ontario and eastward had ever even heard the saying.

This suggests that “Halloween Apples” might indeed be more of a Canadian prairie phenomenon, possibly influenced by generational trends. I couldn’t find anyone under the age of 40 who had the faintest idea what I was talking about. My own children and their friends had never encountered the phrase. Moreover, in the 25 Halloweens I’ve spent distributing candy in Calgary, not once have I heard a child utter “Halloween Apples!” at my door.

However, should I ever be so lucky as to hear that nostalgic chant again, I honestly don’t think I could resist the temptation to bestow a homemade caramel apple upon them. After all, I’ve come to believe that a gourmet caramel apple is an excellent use of that valuable trick-or-treating sack real estate!

So, if you’re searching for impressive yet easy-to-make homemade caramel apples for your next Halloween party or simply to celebrate the season, I highly encourage you to try these fantastic Salted Toffee Halloween Caramel Apples.

Did you say, “Halloween Apples” when you were growing up? I’d love to hear your comments and regional traditions below!

If you’re looking for more easy and delicious caramel apple ideas, you’ll adore these Gourmet Caramel Apples! And for a fun and festive fall dessert perfect for your Halloween celebrations, you’re also going to love my Caramel Apple Betty Dessert Shooters.

Looking for even more Halloween recipes? Be sure to explore these 25 Spooktacular Halloween Potluck Foods!