A tray of dark treats

Ingredients:

Caramel apples

• 8 apples
• 4 tbsp. sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 cups heavy cream, room temperature
• Crushed chocolate cookies, for coating

Preparation:

1. Arrange dark-colored snacks on a tray: fill bowls with black licorice, jelly beans, M&Ms, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-covered nuts, and dried fruit. Then top it all off with caramel apples.

2. Caramel apples

   
   Insert a wooden skewer into the core of each apple. Spray the baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Cook the caramel:

   
   In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar and corn syrup melt. Don't worry if the mixture starts to clump; it will eventually become smooth. Cook, swirling the pan but not stirring with a spoon, until the mixture is deep amber and reaches 250°F (118°C) on a candy thermometer, 8 to 12 minutes.
4. Add the butter all at once, stirring until melted. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream (the caramel will begin to bubble); stir until smooth.
5. Increase the heat to medium-high and heat the caramel to 250°F (121°C), 8-10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Dip the apples in the caramel, then roll them in the crushed cookies; place on a baking sheet to set for 5-10 minutes.