Instead of dipping apples on a stick, I went for something warmer and more comforting: baked, hollowed-out apples filled with creamy pumpkin ice cream. Drizzled with caramel for me, sprinkled with Zuke’s treats for my dog. It turned into a festive little tradition we’ll definitely be repeating. Here’s how it went:

My Version: Caramel Apple Bliss

I hollowed out a crisp apple, baked it until it was soft and warm, then scooped in a generous ball of pumpkin ice cream. The finale? A drizzle of gooey caramel that melted down the sides like golden lava. Cozy, sweet, and perfectly spooky-season ready.

My Dog’s Version: Pup-Approved Apple Bowl

While mine was cooling, I made a dog-friendly version. Same baked apple shell, same pumpkin ice cream (the pet-safe kind, of course)…but instead of caramel, I crumbled a handful of Merrick treats on top. The crunch added the perfect texture, and the smell alone had my pup drooling before I even set the bowl down.

We sat together on the balcony with the fire going, me with my caramel-drizzled apple and him with his Merrick topped apple bowl, watching the leaves tumble across the yard down below and the moon light up the night sky. It was the kind of cozy fall moment that feels like a snapshot, warm, festive, and just a little bit magical.

Halloween may be about tricks and treats, but in our house, it’s all treats, especially when Merrick is is involved. 

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