Caramel Apples!

I had a few more pictures, but blogger isn't cooperating right now so I will make do with what I managed to post! I have been dying to make caramel apples since LAST fall when I made them! For some reason every time I would go to the store I would remember one thing and forget something else that could not be missing! Get the apples, forgot the peanuts. Get the peanuts, forget the marshmallows. Finally I have all my ingredients!Start out by putting your toppings in a coffee filter. I chopped up plain unsalted peanuts and put them in a filter. The toppings are endless and I want to try making some fancy ones someday...with chopped up snickers, etc. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, and spray with non-stick cooking spray! Wash off your apples and dry them. Insert a craft stick, popsicle stick, white dowel sucker sticks-whichever you chose.

In a saucepan, on medium-low heat melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter. Add 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 cup light corn syrup. Stir well and keep stirring until it comes to a boil (don't turn up the heat past medium). After it starts boiling, stir it for 5 minutes constantly.

Your kitchen will smell really yummy! Swirl your apples in the caramel, working quickly before it sets. Add each apples toppings as you go. I went straight from the caramel to my coffee filter filled with nuts, and then put on the pan.

Let me tell you...don't try another caramel recipe unless you know it works. I tried a different recipe and it didn't work at all. This recipe worked great!

I wanted to show you the apple in the back of the picture, because I didn't work fast enough and the last of the caramel in the pan had already started to dry. So I just poured it on top. =) It'll still taste good, just doesn't look as pretty as the others.
Put the pan in the fridge for an hour. Last year I thought I could get away with skipping this step...I was wrong! If you want all of your caramel and toppings to fall off, by all means don't put them in the fridge! =)

After they hardened in the fridge, I thought I would add some melted chocolate to a couple of them and some candy corn. The kids love candy corn, so I thought I'd give it a try. Whatever your topping combination, I am sure they'll be wonderful!

Falling for Autumn!

It's killing me, yes, literally killing me not to blog! I haven't had much to blog about since all of my time has been occupied by party planning lately. SO I thought I would give you a blast from the past (before I had a blog) on my fall party. I LOVED this party, and I think I may try to do it again. I didn't get everything the way I wanted it, but I worked with what I had and the kids had a blast. Here are the pics and links in case you'd like to plan a fall party of your own. =)Where the food will be. This is what it looked like prepped...mulled apple cider stayed at perfect temp in the crock pot! Goodie bags with pumpkin-themed treats! I can't remember everything that was in them but I do remember printing out free pumpkin coloring pages. I bought a package of fall scrapbook paper in the $1 section at Target and made paper cones for the popcorn with double sided tape. There is a huge container of salted caramel popcorn

This is the caramel apple station I set up on the patio. Apples, sticks, coffee filters, tray lined with wax paper, fall sprinkles, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.

Caramel Apples

-apples (makes 8)

-wooden craft sticks

-1 1/2 TBSP. butter

-1 1/2 TBSP. light brown sugar

-6 TBSP. water

-Canola oil spray

In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add brown sugar and water, stirring constantly until smooth. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until mixture is thin and sticky. Remove from heat. Insert stick into bottom of apple. Switl each apple in caramel until coated, then roll in candy or sprinkles (I gave each kid a coffee filter for them to first put their toppings in and then they could roll their apple in their coffee filter). Place apples on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper and coated with canola oil spray. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. (I thought I could skip the fridge part and sadly, I was mistaken! )

Waiting their turn...

I should have had chopped peanuts as well but I wasn't thinking!

The girls' pink sandbox was a hit!

Next up we played a game called "Doughnuts on a string". You can't imagine how hilarious it is to tie a doughnut to a string and watch little kids try to eat it with their arms behind their backs! Do it! Even if it's just your kids and there is no party...it's hilarious!

They do get a little frustrated trying to take those bites because they want it so badly!

Eventually we let them use their hands...when they just couldn't take it anymore.

I don't have a picture of it, but we also played squash bowling and pin the face on the pumpkin. I got those ideas from Martha Stewart so you can check them out if you click on the links.