Caramel Apples

My friend Deseree made these apples for a good friends baby shower we planned back in April. They were honestly the best I have EVER had. The caramel was sooo good. There were quite a few asking for this recipe, including me. Definitely a keeper. 

1.5 cups sugar

1.5 cups brown sugar

1.5 karo syrup (light corn syrup)

1.5 cups butter

1 14oz. can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

 

Mix all the ingredients over medium heat and boil until they hit softball stage, about 238-240 degrees F. Let the caramel cool just until it coats a wooden spoon and doesn't all run off. Have your apples washed and ready to go with sticks already in the top. Spray a cookie sheet or other large, flat pan with cooking spray. Coat the apples and place on the pan. Let them set about 10-15 minutes, until the caramel is no longer sticky. While waiting for the caramel to set melt your chocolate. I use Guittard Milk chocolate chips, they are my favorite, but some of the most expensive. Just be careful not to use the kind of chocolate that would go in a fountain because it doesn't set back up. For white chocolate you can use just about any kind, but you have to be really careful melting it cause it burns really easy. Then just get whatever else you want to go on top- nuts, candy bars, cookies- chopped and ready to cover. You also want to have small plates, like salad plates, sprayed with cooking spray and clear out plenty of space in your freezer.

You will have a little bit of a base of caramel that has settled off the apple. We just fold it up under the bottom to give a little extra caramel. Have your toppings ready to go with a spoon in each one to coat or drizzle. When putting on the base coat just use a big spoon and spread it with the back of the spoon until it covers. Once you have it covered with what you want put it immediately in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes or until chocolate is no longer tacky (White chocolate will set faster than milk and tends to crack if you leave it in there too long so if you use a white chocolate base then it will probably be less than 10 minutes). Use a small spatula (like the Pampered Chef small server thing) to get it off the plate. If you want nuts or whatever topping all over the sides then you can roll the apple in them, that will coat it a little better.

Pumpkin Trifle Recipe

Oh my goodness this was delicious. I want to remember to make this again next year! I had people asking me to take this home. It was a good one, and very festive.

Photo taken from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1 package (14-1/2 ounces) gingerbread cake mix
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 1 egg
• 4 cups cold fat-free milk
• 4 packages (1 ounce each) sugar-free instant butterscotch pudding mix
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon each ground ginger, nutmeg and allspice
• 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water and egg, beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into an ungreased 8-in. square baking pan.
• Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. When completely cooled, crumble the cake. Set aside 1/4 cup crumbs for garnish.
• In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Stir in pumpkin and spices until well blended.
• In a trifle bowl or 3-1/2-qt. glass serving bowl, layer a fourth of the cake crumbs, half of the pumpkin mixture, a fourth of the cake crumbs and half of the whipped topping. Repeat layers. Garnish with reserved cake crumbs. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving. Yield: 18 servings.

Chili Cheese Dip

Could there be anything more delicious then this? I think not. I'm nasty and do not have a healthy diet all of the time, so sometimes, when my kids go to bed, I will have stuff to make this while I sit and watch TV and soak in the peace and quiet. This really is so good. It's also a crowd pleaser. I can finish the whole thing by myself. Should I admit that? I know, i'm nasty.

1 cube cream cheese, softened
1 can Hormel Chili with NO BEANS
2 cups of cheddar cheese
Bag of tortilla chips

Using a rubber spatula spread softened cream cheese on the bottom of a pie dish, or ceramic serving dish. (Make sure it is microwavable) Next, spread the can of chili over the cream cheese. Last sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of ingredients. (You can use more if you'd like) Then, put it all in the microwave for 3 minutes, until cheese is melted. Use chips to dip away! YUM!

Mud balls

My friend Megan made these at a party and I ate to many of them. When I bit into them I immediately thought, "Maddie will love these." So I made them when we got home, and she did! I love these. I think they're delicious!

2- 4.25 oz hershey's bars (I like to use Symphony)
8 oz. cool whip
1 t. vanilla
chopped nuts
crushed vanilla wafers

Melt chocolate over double boiler. Let cool. Add cool whip. Fold in nuts and vanilla. Drop by spoonfuls in crumbled wafers (in cake pan). Form into a ball. Tap off crumbs. Store in fridge.

Simple as that!

Dirt cups

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

2 cups cold milk

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

15 OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 cups), divided

10 worm-shaped chewy fruit snacks

Preparation:

BEAT pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. Stir in COOL WHIP and 1/2 cup cookie crumbs.

SPOON into 10 (6- to 7-oz.) paper or plastic cups; top with remaining cookie crumbs.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Top with fruit snacks just before serving.

Banana Pops

This isn't so much of a recipe as it is an idea. I just took banana's and put them on sticks.

Then I coated them in Peanut Butter, Cool whip, and put sprinkles and mini vanilla wafers on them.

Last, I froze them in the freezer for a few hours, and we had dessert like that! It was good. Maddie loved it.

Variations-Chocolate rolled in nuts, or coconuts, sprinkles, reese's chips, mini choc. chip, oreo crumbs, or m&m's, or marshmallows. Drizzle chocolate over the top.

This may be fun to take to a party treat
             

Italian Sodas

Photo taken from Our Recipe Garden

INGREDIENTS
crushed ice
flavoring syrup of choice
club soda
heavy whipping cream
straws
*
DIRECTIONS
1. Fill tall glass with crushed ice.
2. Add about an inch of flavoring syrup.
3. Pour in club soda to about an inch from the top of the cup.
4. Add a bit of heavy whipping cream.
5. Use straw for both mixing and for drinking the soda. :)

*Would be cute to serve in these lids and mason jars w/ straws for a party