Toffee Apple Dip

For this month's Secret Recipe Club, I was assigned to Ashley's blog, Rainstorms and Love Notes. Her blog was pretty new to me (though she was assigned to my blog last month and made my Baked "Fried" Pickles!), and I really enjoyed browsing through it.  As usual, my list of recipes to make grew with each page I read through.  I narrowed it down to choosing between Broccoli Cheddar Dip, Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, Pumpkin Roll, and Apple Toffee Dip.  Ultimately I chose to make the apple dip, but I'll definitely be making the others too!

Ever since my friend brought apples with caramel dip to a get together, I've been obsessed, and that's been my nightly snack.  However, since making this Toffee Apple Dip, caramel has been kicked to the curb.  I shared it with some friends the other night, and they all loved it and requested the recipe.  They even agreed that it's better than the caramel dip, and even though we were all stuffed from dinner, we couldn't stop eating this!

This dip was so simple to put together, and it tastes absolutely amazing.  Even Summer ate it, along with apples, and she normally doesn't like apples, so you know it was good!  The only thing I changed was cutting the amount of sugar in half.  Partially due to laziness on my part--I didn't want to go downstairs and bring up a 25 pound bag of sugar just for 1/2 cup--but mostly because after trying the dip with just brown sugar, I decided it was sweet enough for me.  Give it a try with some fresh apples, or even bananas, you won't regret it!

Toffee Apple Dip

Ingredients:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup toffee bits

Combine ingredients until smooth.  Serve with fresh fruit.

Source: Rainstorms and Love Notes

An InLinkz Link-up

Ginger Pear and Apple Chips

These baked pear and apple chips are a fun, healthy, and delicious snack, perfect for the whole family!

Apple Cream Cheese Danish

Breakfast or dessert? I'll let you decide!  Fresh and delicious apples shine in these Apple Cream Cheese Danishes.

Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler {and Slow Cooker Giveaway}

Cool fall days call for warm dessert.  This simple apple cobbler fits the bill and it's made in your slow cooker!

Apple Chicken Potato Hash

The unique mix of flavors in this dish is suprisingly delicious.  It's a great breakfast or dinner idea.

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

Apple cider cookies stuffed with caramel, does it get much better?

This fall, I just can't get enough apple cider!  I pick up a gallon every week when I get groceries.  I love hot cider, so I'll typically heat up a mug and take it to work with me each morning.  There's no better way to start my day out than sipping some hot cider while checking my work emails.

When I saw this recipe a couple weeks ago, I knew I had to find the time to make it.  I mean, seriously, what could be better than cookies that taste like apple cider?  As I quickly found out, the answer is very few things.  These cookies are incredible!  I couldn't believe how much flavor they had!

I always keep a box (or two) of the Alpine Spiced Cider Apple Flavor Drink Mix packets in the house, just in case I run out of fresh cider or have a craving during off season. I was happy to be able to put a box of the packets to good use in these cookies. 

I loved the chewy caramel hidden in the center of these cookies.  In the days after making the cookies, I found that if I popped a cookie in the microwave for about 5 seconds, the caramel became perfectly gooey.

All this talk about cider...I'm off to pour a glass!

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 box (10 packets) Alpine Spiced Cider Apple Flavor Drink Mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups flour
1 bag caramels, unwrapped

1.  Cream together the butter, sugar, salt, and apple cider packets until light and fluffy.

2.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

3.  Add in the baking soda, baking powder, and flour and mix until combined.

4.  Scoop golf ball sized chunks of dough and flatten slightly in your hand.  Place a caramel in the center** and work the dough around the caramel, shaping into a ball.

5.  Place cookie dough onto a greased or parchment paper lined cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.

6.  Bake 12-14 minutes, until golden brown.

7.  Allow the cookies to cool slightly before removing from the cookie sheet and cooling on a cooling rack.

**If you want to have the caramel spread through the cookie rather than just in the center, you can flatten the caramel with the back of a spoon or a rolling pin before placing in the cookie dough.  I tried, but my caramels were too hard!

Source:  Mom's Test Kitchen

This post contains affiliate links.

Applesauce

The added ingredients in this applesauce take it from everyday to gourmet!

Have you ever been apple picking? Until 3 years ago I hadn't! Considering that Michigan is one of the top apple growing states, I am surprised it took me so long! Last year unseasonably warm temperatures followed by a freeze damaged the apple crops so severely we were unable to pick apples because there weren't any! This year the weather cooperated and there are plenty of apples to be picked.

Mike, Summer, and I headed out to a nearby apple orchard with some of our friends and their baby girl.  Of course our daughters are much too young to help (or remember our adventure!), but we wanted to include them in our families' tradition.  We picked 3 kind of apples: Honeycrisp, Cortland, and Empire.  The Honeycrisp are my favorite for eating.  The Empire apples were enormous and perfect for this applesauce; I threw in a few Cortland apples as well.

This applesauce goes beyond my typical applesauce recipe which includes one ingredient: apples.  I really enjoyed this recipe because it seemed extra special.  The best part about this recipe is that it's made in the Crock-pot. No standing over the stove stirring a pot of apples.  Just put everything in the slow cooker, turn it on and walk away.  Your house will smell amazing!

Applesauce

Serves 8

Ingredients:
6 apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup apple cider
2 Tablespoons butter
3-6 Tablespoons honey (adjust for how sweet you prefer your applesauce)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1.  Combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker.

2.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until apples are soft.

3.  Using an immersion blender, mash the apples to your desired consistency.  (You can also use a blender, food processor, or a potato masher.)

Serve warm.  Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Ingredients source: Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Caramel Apple Pull Apart Bread

This fall flavored pull apart bread is filled with apples and caramel.  It is a family favorite!

Are you a bargain shopper?  I totally am!  Ever since I began grocery shopping (even while still living with my parents) I have loved clipping coupons and hunting for the best possible deals.  And, I've snagged some great ones!  I've made it into a game for myself, always competing to get the best deal, and the highest percentage of savings (check out the time I saved 95%!)  While I don't spend as much time couponing as I used to (before Summer was born), I still enjoy searching out the best deals and getting that savings high.

So, that's why I am excited to tell you about my new affiliation with Eversave.  It's a daily deal site with some fantastic deals!  Since becoming a member a couple months ago, I have saved hundreds of dollars.  It's easy--just visit their website to check out the daily deals.  Then purchase the deal and check your email for the voucher.  They have something for everyone: I've purchased baby items, toys, canvas prints, even a vacation!  Plus, they have one of the best referral and rewards programs out there: for every new customer you refer, you receive a $10 credit, and if you simply share a deal after you purchase it, you receive a $2 credit.  Those credits add up and make the deals even better!

I'll be posting the daily deals on my Facebook page, so I hope that you will check it out!  The holiday season is quickly approaching, and think of how much money you can save.  Just an example: today's featured save is an Android Tablet and it is 83% off.  Or how about a 2 night vacation plus a restaurant gift card at a savings of 80%.  Plus, there are local deals based on where you leave.  Check it out today and start saving!

Okay, now let's talk about this bread.  Wow.  All the best flavors of fall packed into a bread pan.  Can it get any better?  I'd have to say no, especially if you base taste on how quickly something is eaten.  This loaf of bread lasted about 2 days in our house!

It may look complicated, but don't let the instructions scare you off.  This bread is pretty simple to make, though it can be time consuming because you need to wait for the dough to rise.  While the dough is rising, you can work on the caramel apple filling though, so the time passes rather quickly.  The caramel apple filling seeps between the pieces of the bread, ensuring that every bite is filled with the flavors of fall.  Then, the bread is topped off with a caramel apple icing.

This bread is fall in a loaf pan!

Pull Apart Cinnamon Bread
Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients:
For the dough:
2-3/4 cups flour, plus more if needed
1/4 cup sugar
2-1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons butter
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs

For the filling:
4 Tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

For the caramel filling:
4 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 apples, diced

For the icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1-1/2 Tablespoons apple cider
1 packet Duncan Hines Caramel Frosting Creations

1. In the bowl of your mixer, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

2.  In a small saucepan, combine the butter and milk and heat until the butter melts.  Set aside and cool until it reaches 115-120 degrees.

3.  Add the milk mixture, water, vanilla, and eggs to the flour mixture.  Mix on low speed with the dough hook until a dough forms.

4.   Add additional flour 1 Tablespoon at a time, as needed, until the dough pulls away from the edge of the bowl.  Continue kneading bread until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes.

5.  Cover the dough and set it aside to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

6.  While the dough is rising, add butter to a small saucepan and melt. Set aside.

7.  Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Set aside.

8.  Next, in a small saucepan, melt 4 Tablespoons butter and add the brown sugar.  Cook until bubbly and the mixture begins to thicken.

9. Add the diced apples to the caramel mixture and set aside.

10.  When dough has risen, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and gently deflate.

11.  Roll dough into a ball, cover with a clean towel, and let it rest for 5 minutes.

12.  Roll the dough into a rectangle, approximately 12" by 20".

13.  Brush the dough with the melted butter.  Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture, be sure to use all of it. 

14.  Cut the dough length-wise into 4 long strips. 

15.  Stack those strips on top of each other and cut into 6 equal slices. 

16.  Stack all the slices on top of each other and place vertically in a greased bread pan.

17.  Pour the caramel apple mixture on top of the dough. Gently separate the pieces of dough to allow the caramel mixture to seep between the slices.

18.  Cover with a clean towel and set aside to rise for 30 minutes.

19.  Set the loaf pan on a cookie sheet (in case the caramel bubbles out of the pan). Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden brown. If the top is getting too dark before the bread is baked, cover with foil.

20.  Remove from oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 20 minutes.  Run a knife around the edge of the bread to loosen it from the pan and turn it onto a serving plate.

21.  While the bread is cooling, combine powdered sugar, milk, and Caramel Frosting Creations in a small bowl to make a thin icing.  Drizzle on top of bread after it has been turned onto the plate.

This post contains affiliate links.

Apple Glazed Pork Loin

They are predicting snow this week.  Seriously.  I know it's almost the end of October, but I am just not ready for that S-word!  So far, it hasn't happened.  I'm okay with the cold temperatures, but I'd like to enjoy fall while it's here.  As I've mentioned before, I love the flavors of fall.

For some reason, I think of pork loin as a fall food.  Maybe it's because it's something cooked in the oven and I tend to not use my oven very much in the summer.  I came across this recipe via Pinterest and knew it was the perfect fall dinner.  I made it for our small group, and I think it was a hit with everyone!  The apple glaze over the pork really makes this meal something special.  We had leftover pork, so a few nights later, Mike and I shredded the meat and let it sit in the apples and juices. Then we put it on toasted buns, and had some of the best pulled pork ever!

Apple Glazed Pork Loin

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 4 pound pork loin
salt
pepper
parsley
1/2 onion, diced
2 apples, peeled and diced
1/2 cup apple cider
1 cup apple jelly
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1.  Heat olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the pork loin and brown on all sides.

2.  Remove the pork loin from the skillet and place in a 9x13" baking dish.  Season with salt, pepper, and parsley.

3.  In the same skillet, saute the onion and apples until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.

4.  Add the apple cider and bring the mixture to a boil.

5.  Pour the cider mixture into the baking dish, around the pork loin.

6.  In a small bowl, combine the apple jelly and balsamic vinegar until there are no lumps.  Spread the jelly over the pork loin.

7.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees.  (Plan to cook the pork loin for approximately 20 minutes per pound.)

8.  Allow the pork to sit for about 10 minutes before slicing.  Serve the pork with apples on top.

If you have leftovers, shred the pork and allow it to sit in the apple juice.  It makes great sandwiches!

Source: Join Us, Pull Up A Chair

Rustic Apple Galette

I am so thankful for The Secret Recipe Club this month! It gave me the motivation I needed to get back in the kitchen. Taking care of a baby doesn't leave much time for baking! But I am finally learning a routine and finding time to spend in the kitchen.

This month I was assigned to Lavender and Lovage. Karen has so many delicious looking recipes but I was on a mission for fall flavors. My parents went apple picking and brought me a bunch of apples, so I was hoping to find a great apple recipe.

I struck gold with this Rustic Apple Galette! It is so easy to make. The original recipe calls for a store bought pie crust, but I used my go-to pie crust recipe. The apples are coated with a small amount of cinnamon and sugar, allowing the flavor of apples to really shine through. It doesn't hurt that the Galette looks pretty too!

Rustic Apple Galette

Ingredients:

1 pie crust, store-bought or homemade
3 firm apples
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon sugar

1. Roll out the pie crust and place it on a greased pan.

2. Quarter the apples, core them, and slice into thin slices.

3. Arrange the apple slices on the pie crust, leaving a 1" space around the edges.

4. Fold the excess crust up and over the apple slices.

5. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over the galette.


6.  Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.

Source: Lavender and Lovage

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Wow. It is way harder than I expected to get back into the swing of things! Tuesday was my first day back at work at to say it was hard is putting it mildly. Thankfully, I have fantastically understanding co-workers!

So, please bear with me as I try to get back into the groove of blogging! There's no better way to get back into it than with a fun blog challenge--The Lady Behind the Curtain's Dessert Challenge!

Even though the temperature still feels like summer, fall flavors are making their appearance. Apples and cinnamon were this month's challenge ingredients.

Admittedly, muffins aren't typically a dessert, but they are sweet and these days I will take whatever I can get my hands on!  I personally think you can eat a muffin anytime of the day!  Plus, in the interest of full disclosure, I actually made these muffins this spring and I have been holding the post until apple season. Now that it's in full swing, this recipe is being posted at the perfect time!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons margarine, melted
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 Tablespoons cinnamon

1.  In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

2.  In a smaller bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and melted margarine.

3.  Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

4.  Gently stir in diced apples.

5.  Pour batter into a greased muffin tins.  Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the batter.

6.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the muffins comes out clean.

Semi-Clean Apple Pie

Oh yum!  I love this apple pie recipe--I bet I could have time to whip it up during a nap time.  It would make a special dessert for Mike and I :)  Thanks for sharing today Susan!

***

Hey, y'all! I'm Susan from what was formally Adventures in my Kitchen, but by the time you'll be reading this it'll be The Foodette!

I am so excited to be helping out here on Melissa's Cuisine as Melissa and her hubby take the leap into parenthood!

I am bringing to you today my recipe for Semi-Clean Apple Pie. I'm sure you've all heard about the Clean-Eating craze... non-processed, no sugar, kind of stuff? Well, this pies insides are clean, but the crust is good 'ol fashioned Pillsbury... hence the semi-clean title. I feel good about this pie because there is no added sugar. That's right, the sweet comes right from the apples themselves and that is it! It's super simple to throw together and everyone will love it!

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and hopefully I'll see you around my new website- TheFoodette!

Semi-Clean Apple Pie
adapted from The Gracious Pantry


2 medium/large sized Braeburn apples, sliced thinly and chopped
1 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1-2 tbs Ground Cinnamon- depending on your love of cinnamon

1 box Pillsbury Pie Crusts for a 9-inch pie

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400* (box said 450*, but 400* worked better)
In a medium sized bowl combine sliced/chopped apples, apple sauce, and cinnamon- mixing well.
Lightly butter or grease a 9-inch pie pan.
Follow directions on pie crust box to thaw dough and roll out into pie pan. Fill crust with apple mixture and follow the directions on the pie crust box to top the pie. (Two-Crust Pie)

Bake for ~25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and delicious looking. Let cool before digging in!

Apple Cinnamon Dumplings

I have a problem.  I just can't leave recipes alone!  I hate to follow a recipe exactly, and I prefer to tweak the original or just look at a picture and try to re-create the recipe. 

That was certainly the case with these dumplings.  I've made them countless times since I first posted them here (back in 2008!).  I made a peach version which turned out fantastic.  Then, I tried to make a lower fat version using less butter and sugar. That time didn't turn out so well.  In fact, I believe that was when Mike told me to stop messing with recipes and just make them the way they're supposed to be made. 

Like I said, I like to change up recipes, so that is one area where I have a hard time listening to my husband!  I didn't change these up much, but the change I made was fantastic.  I used larger pieces of apples and added in cinnamon chips, which melted and gave the apples and dumplings great flavor. 

One thing I would suggest is to use a soft apple (like Macintosh) instead of a harder variety (like Gala).  If you only have hard apples, your dumplings will just have a slight crunch to them.  You could certainly microwave the apple for a minute or two to give it a head start on baking before putting it in the biscuit. 

Apple Cinnamon Dumplings

Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 can Pillsbury Grands (8 biscuits)
4 small apples, peeled, halved, and cored (use a small knife or spoon to scoop the core out)
1/4 cup cinnamon chips
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (12 ounce) can Mountain Dew
cinnamon

1.  Flatten biscuits into an oval shape, about 5x7 inches or as close as possible.

2.  Sprinkle a few cinnamon chips in the center of the biscuit and place the apple, cut side down on top of the chips.

3.  Fold the biscuits around the apples, pinching the edges to seal the dumpling shut.

4.  Place biscuits in a 9x13" pan.

5.  In a small saucepan, melt the butter.  Add the sugar and vanilla and stir until the sugar dissolves.

6.  Pour the sugar mixture over the dumplings, being sure to coat each one thoroughly.

7.  Pour the Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan and down the center.  (If it appears that your pan might overflow with liquid, stop adding the Mountain Dew.  You don't need to use the whole can.)

8.  Sprinkle the tops of the dumplings with cinnamon.

9.  Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown.

Serve warm.  Store leftovers, covered, in the fridge.

Caramel Apple Cider

 

Are you ready for Christmas?  Is it looking like Christmas outside your window?  I don't know about you, but when it's cold outside, there's nothing better than a hot drink to warm you inside and out!

This Caramel Apple Cider is the perfect cold weather drink.  The cider is heated in the slow cooker, so the hands-on time is quite minimal.  Plus, your house will smell amazing while you're making it!  I served this at Thanksgiving and I plan to make it for our Christmas Eve celebration tonight.



Caramel Apple Cider

Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 (64 ounce) bottle of apple juice
6 cinnamon sticks
8 Tablespoons caramel ice-cream topping

1.  Pour the apple cider into the pot of a slow cooker.  Add the cinnamon sticks.

2.  Heat on low for 6-8 hours, until the cider is hot and the cinnamon sticks have uncurled and are soft.

3.  Carefully ladle the hot cider into mugs. 

4.  Stir 1 Tablespoon of caramel ice-cream topping into each mug of cider right before serving.

Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Fluff

Family game night.  It's a concept both Mike and I grew up with.  While the idea for both our families were similar--both our dads avoided playing games as much as possible, there were also some differences.  For instance, he doesn't have a younger brother who, when he was losing a game of Sorry!, flipped the board so the game could no longer continue.  Ahhh memories!

We often enjoyed game night at home around the kitchen table.  My mom would often have snacks ready for us--typically a bowl of popcorn or pretzels with chocolate to dip them in.  It was the one night of the week when we typically enjoyed a can of pop as well.

While game night has changed a bit since we've been married (there are surprisingly few games for just 2 players), Mike and I do enjoy playing games.  He bought me a version of Monopoly that features places we've been together and every so often we'll pull that out.  We also enjoy card games (Mike plays Poker with his bowling group and is teaching me how) and playing video games on our Wii.  One thing that's remained the same is snacks--they are a must for game time.  We enjoy a variety--popcorn, cheese cubes, apples with dip, crackers...We like our snacks!

Whether you choose to play card games, board games, or video games, this Peanut Butter Fluff is part of a healthy and easy snack for you to enjoy while playing.  It can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.  In fact, we almost always have a container of this waiting for when the craving strikes.  Just scoop out a dollop, slice up an apple, and snack time is ready!

Peanut Butter Fluff

Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 (7 ounce) container of marshmallow fluff
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon milk

1.  In a medium bowl, combine the marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and milk until completely mixed.

2.  Serve with sliced fruit--we love apples with this dip.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Note:  The first time I made this recipe, I used about 1 cup of peanut butter.  It resulted in a very clumpy spread, but that was solved by adding milk, a small amount at a time.  The dip was quite solid and we enjoyed it very much.  I decreased the amount of peanut butter so this dip is fluffier and easier to dip.  Feel free to experiment with the amount of peanut butter you use!

Apple Cider Caramels

I love caramel in many forms, but especially in a piece of chewy candy that seems to just melt in your mouth.  I also love a hot cup of Apple Cider when the air turns cold!

I'd seen other Apple Cider Caramel recipes but they all involved reducing apple cider down to a syrup and using that for the flavor.  It seemed like a lot of work to me, so I thought I'd try using the Alpine Spiced Cider Apple Flavor Drink Mix instead.  It worked perfectly and the cider flavor really shines through these candies.

Apple Cider Caramels

Makes approximately 64 candies

Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 vanilla bean pod, split and scraped
1-1/4 teaspoons sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
4 packages Alpine Spiced Cider Apple Flavor Drink Mix

1. Heavily butter the bottom and sides of an 8x8 pan.

2. Bring cream, butter, vanilla, vanilla beans, pod, and sea salt to a boil in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and set aside. 

3.  Stir the cider packages into the cream until it's dissolved.

4. Boil sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

5.  Boil, without stirring but gently swirling pan, until mixture is a light golden caramel.

6. Remove vanilla pods and carefully stir cream mixture into the caramel (mixture will bubble up) and simmer, stirring frequently, until caramel registers 248 on a candy thermometer.

7. Pour into baking pan and cool 30 minutes.

8. Sprinkle another pinch or two of sea salt over the top of the caramel for a nice salty crunch and let sit until completely cooled.

9. Cut into 1-inch pieces (I buttered a pizza cutter), and store in an airtight container or wrap in waxed paper (directions below).

To wrap caramels: cut waxed paper into 4" squares.  Carefully roll each caramel into a small log and place in the center of the waxed paper.  Wrap paper around the caramels and twist the ends to seal.

Molten Caramel Apple Cakes

How was your Halloween?  Did you (or your kids) bring home a bundle of candy?  We had a surprisingly low amount of trick-or-treaters through our subdivision this year.  I think it was too cold and wet, as we were still dealing with the rain brought on by Hurricane Sandy.  I started handing out just one or two pieces of candy to each child, but about 15 minutes before I turned our light off, I started giving out handfuls!  And, I still have candy leftover!  C'est la vie...

Now that Halloween is over, I can focus on Thanksgiving...and then Christmas!  But how about Thanksgiving first?  Sometimes Thanksgiving seems to get skipped over, but we all have so much to be thankful for.  I think it's important to really set a day aside to be thankful for what we have (we should be thankful every day too!) 

The weather has drastically changed in the past week.  Last week we were setting records by how warm it was.  This week we've returned to fall weather and it's been cold, dreary, and blustery!  Of course, when it feels like fall I want to enjoy the tastes of fall too!  For me, that means lots of apple and pumpkin flavored foods.  I have a few more fall recipes coming up this month, and today I want to share these molten cakes.

I absolutely adore Molten Cakes.  I find it quite entertaining  to stick my fork into a cake and have a deliciously gooey center ooze out.   That was certainly the case for these Molten Caramel Apple Cakes.   Between the caramel and the apples, these cakes just scream fall!  Plus, because Mike and I can never eat an entire cake between the two of us, I was thrilled that this recipe makes just 2 single serving cakes.  Mike opted out of eating his (silly boy!) and so I enjoyed his cake for breakfast one morning!  Shhhh....don't tell!

Molten Caramel Apple Cakes

Serves 2

2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs

2 eggs

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping
3 tablespoons flour
1 small apple peeled and chopped
Powdered Sugar

1.  Spray bottoms and sides of 2 8-ounce ramekins with baking spray. Sprinkle cracker crumbs onto bottom and around side of each cup.

2.  In large bowl, beat eggs with wire whisk until well blended.

3.  Beat in brown sugar.

4.  Beat in caramel topping and flour until well blended.

5.  Stir in apple.

6.  Divide batter evenly among custard cups. Place cups on cookie sheet.

7.  Bake at 450 for 20 minutes or until sides are set and centers are still soft but not liquid (tops will be slightly puffed). Be careful not to over bake the cakes!

8.  Remove the ramekins from the cookie sheet. Let the cakes for stand 3 minutes before running a small knife along sides of cakes to loosen.

9.  Immediately place a plate upside down over top of each cup; turn the plate and cup over. Remove cup. Sprinkle cakes with powdered sugar.

Serve warm.

Source:  A Crafty Cook

Apple Snickers Pie

It's time again for the Crazy Cooking Challenge monthly reveal.  October's theme was Apple Pie.  The Crazy Cooking Challenge has been revamped since it began last year.  It's laid-back and easy to participate in.  If you'd like to join, you can read the details here.

Back to the pie.  I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of pie.  I've made an apple pie before, and it was delicious, but this time I really wanted to make something different.  I used a recipe I found via Pinterest for my inspiration and whipped up a delicious Apple Snickers Pie.  It's basically Snickers Salad in a pie shell and it's absolutely decadent!

Apple Snickers Pie

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) tub Cool Whip
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
3 apples, cored and diced (plus a few slices for a garnish, if desired)
4 regular sized Snicker bars (or 20 minis), chopped (plus a few pieces for garnish, if desired)
1 graham cracker crust
1/4 cup caramel ice-cream topping

1.  In a medium mixing bowl, gently combine the Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk.

2.  Fold in diced apples and chopped Snickers bars.

3.  Drizzle caramel topping over the graham cracker crust.

4.  Pour the pie filling into the graham cracker crust.

5.  Refrigerate pie for at least 2 hours before serving to allow it to set.  The pie will not be completely firm.

6.  Garnish the pie with apple slices and Snickers bars.

Slice and serve.

Adapted from: I Heart Nap Time

“I’m partying at the Pi Day Pie Party at Crazy for Crust today. Come party with us!”

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Can you believe it's August already?  I don't know where this summer has gone!  We've had a great summer, I just wish it wasn't nearly over.  Soon we'll be enjoying the crisper temperature of fall weather, along with delicious caramel apples--the inspiration for this cheesecake!

When Tina announced that this month's Crazy Cooking Challenge was Cheesecake, I was in luck.  I knew exactly what recipe I was going to make--in fact, I had already made it! 

I am typically in charge of making dessert for our Sunday dinners with my parents.  The Sunday that I made this dessert, we had dinner with my parents and Mike's parents, so I chose to make a fancier dessert than I typically would.

Everyone really enjoyed this cheesecake.  I loved the crunch of the apples on top, and the sweetness of the caramel topping.  This is a recipe I'll definitely be making again!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Serves 12-14

You will need:
2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
3 eggs
2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large apple, diced
1/4 cup caramel ice-cream topping

1.  In a small bowl, combine the crushed vanilla wafers and butter.

2.  Press into the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9" springform pan.

3.  Place pan on a baking sheet and bake the crust at 400 for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and set pan on a wire rack to cool.

4.  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.

5.  Add the sugar and flour to cream cheese and mix well.

6.  Add in the eggs; beat on low until just combined.

7.  Stir in heavy whipping cream and vanilla.

8.  Pour filling into crust.  Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes, until the center is almost set.

9.  Cool the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Then run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the crust.  Cool for 1 hour.

10.  Refrigerate the cheesecake overnight.

11.  Before serving, remove the sides of the pan.  Garnish with diced apples and caramel sauce.

Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

Slightly adapted from: The Taste of Home Cookbook

You can check out the other recipes I've made as part of the Crazy Cooking Challenge:
Double Coconut Fried Chicken--July 2012
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothies--June 2012
Pizza Grilled Cheese--May 2012
Giant Streusel Topped Bluebery Muffins--April 2012
Spaghetti with Apple Tomato Sauce--March 2012
Chocolate Root Beer Bundt Cake--February 2012
Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles--January 2012
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge--December 2011
Garlic Mashed Potatoes--November 2011
Chocolate Chip Cookies--October 2011
Beer and Bacon Mac and Cheese--September 2011

Don't forget to click on the thumbnail picture for my recipe to vote for me! :)  Thank you :)

Apple Bread

I like to take "old" recipes and tweak them to make something new.  Sometimes, my little experiments flop, but other times, they are a complete success!  Luckily for me, Mike is willing to try new things, and he often comes up with some odd concoctions of his own.  For instance, he now puts taco sauce and olives in his omelets.  He's got some strange taste buds I tell you!
This recipe is actually a donut recipe.  I loved the taste so much and I thought it would be delicious with some apples.  I thought it would work just fine as a bread, and it did! 

Apple Bread

Makes 1 loaf

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons margarine, melted
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1.  In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

2.  In a smaller bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and melted margarine.

3.  Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

4.  Gently stir in diced apples.

5.  Pour batter into a greased bread pan.  Sprinkle brown sugar on top of the batter.

6.  Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the bread comes out clean.

Cool bread before slicing.