Give Apple Pie 10X The Flavor With A Drizzle Of One Easy Topping

Out of all the classic fall baked goods, apple pie is easily one of the most iconic. It's warm, filled with fall-forward spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and perfect for just about any fall gathering. It also goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream (or a slice of Cheddar cheese, if you're from Vermont). But if you're hoping to spice things up this season, there's an unlikely ingredient hiding in your baking cabinet that'll give your apple pie 10x the flavor: chocolate.

If you weren't already aware, chocolate makes everything taste better. From chocolate-covered potato chips to bacon and chili, you'd be surprised to know just how many unconventional foods can be elevated by a bit of chocolate or cocoa. It might not seem very strange to add chocolate to your apple pie, but for some reason, it's not a very common topping — and we're here to change that.

If you've ever enjoyed apples dipped in melted chocolate or Nutella, you know that the two flavors pair incredibly well together. The tart apples and rich chocolate balance each other quite well, creating a blend of sweetness and tang that's hard not to love. Chocolate also pairs exceptionally well with some of the spices featured in apple pie; most notably, cinnamon. So, if you're on the lookout for a creative apple pie topping that isn't ice cream, give chocolate a try.

If you're unsure about the flavor combo, a simple drizzle of your favorite store-bought chocolate sauce is a good place to start. Our favorite comes from Trader Joe's, but use whatever you've got in your fridge. For some added texture, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips over the top of a warm slice of apple pie. The pie will melt the chips slightly, creating a chocolate sauce of sorts that's incredibly satisfying. Just remember that semi-sweet chocolate is the best choice here; fully sweet chocolate isn't often recommended for baking since it can be overpowering. 

On the other hand, if you know you're going to enjoy a chocolatey apple pie, don't be afraid to go all out. Gather some chocolate and heavy cream and whip up a chocolate ganache to drizzle over the pie. The ganache will give your pie a richer chocolate flavor that you simply won't get from a chocolate syrup, but it will feel a million times more elegant. Another similar and even easier way to add a chocolate twist to apple pie is with your favorite premade hot fudge. You know — the fudgy kind you'd put on top of an ice cream sundae. Simply heat it up and add a spoonful to your apple pie for a totally indulgent fall treat. Once you give this flavor combo a try, you may never look at apple pie the same way again.