Tasty Tuesdays!

In-case you missed my previous Tasty Tuesdays, please take a look at that here!

For those of you who were delighted from the many sweet and wearable treats, I bring to you some edible goodies today! It’s the start of Fall after all, which not only means layering of clothing, finally wearing our boots, and getting ready for Halloween, but it calls for lots of delicious surprises! Of course, I don’t want to stray away from fashion, so all of my treats will not only taste great but look incredible too; and I’ll even pull together some outfits to match the treats you eat! Lovers, friends, and family won’t be able to resist you and the special savory delights you made. What are you waiting for? Get out your cute apron and open up your sweet tooth!

First and foremost are the kitchen essentials – you can’t cook with those old, dull, worn-out utensils! Let’s amp up your kitchen with some super cute and stylish supplies, like these (of course, these are only a few as there are tons more I could add… but then I’d turn into a cooking blog… each set suits a certain style!)

Now on to the recipes!

Gourmet Caramel Apples

Ingredients (for 5 apples)

5 large Granny Smith apples
5 wooden craft sticks
1 (14 oz) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons water
7 ounces chocolate candy bar, broken into pieces (or chocolate chips, either work – Ghirardelli is my favorite)
2 tablespoons shortening, divided
1 cup colored candy coating melts (try Wilton Candy Melts from Michaels!)
Crushed nuts, candy (optional, but tasty!)

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Dip apples into boiling water briefly (no more than 10 seconds or apples may become slightly bruised/too soft). Use your hands to lightly remove any wax that may be present. Wipe apples dry, and set aside to cool. Insert wooden sticks into the apples through the cores.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and coat with cooking spray. Place the unwrapped caramels into a microwave-safe medium bowl (large enough for apples to be stirred in) along with 2 tablespoons of water. Cook on high for 2 minutes, then stir and continue cooking and stirring at 1 minute intervals until caramel is melted and smooth.
Hold apples by the stick, and dip into the caramel to coat. Set on waxed paper; refrigerate for about 15 minutes to set.
Now this step can be done two different ways, depending on how big your sweet tooth is! If you don’t mind the combination of chocolate and caramel and their richness, try the first way; if that’s too much for you, try the second method!

Heat the chocolate with 1 tablespoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl until melted and smooth. Dip apples into the chocolate to cover the layer of caramel. Return to the waxed paper to set.
Heat the chocolate with 1 tablespoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl until melted and smooth. Instead of dipping the apples into the chocolate, drizzle with a spoon or fork over the apple for a nice, subtle touch of chocolate!

Take your chocolate/caramel covered apple and before it hardens/you refrigerate it, roll it in your crushed candy/nuts! Again, this is optional but adds a nice crunch and flavor – great for kids, too!
In a microwave-safe container, microwave 1 package of Candy Melts with remaining shortening. at half power or defrost setting for 1 minute. Stir thoroughly. Continue to microwave and stir at 30 second intervals until smooth and completely melted. Use a fork or wooden stick to flick colorful designs onto your apples for a beautiful finish, or carefully decorate with unique shapes and designs as you wish! Refrigerate until set, overnight is best!
Share and enjoy!

Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients (6 servings – adjust amount of spices to your taste!)

6 cups apple cider (to cut down too much sweetness, grab a natural unsweetened cider)
1/4 cup real maple syrup (again if you’re not too fond of super sweet drinks, get a ‘light’ syrup!)
3 cinnamon sticks or 1 tbsp of ground cinnamon
6 whole cloves or 1 tsp ground cloves
6 whole allspice berries or 1 tsp ground allspice (easier to find than the berries, same thing really!)
1 orange peel, cut into strips; or 1/2 tsp orange zest
1 lemon peel, cut into strips; or 1/2 tsp lemon zest
Square of cheesecloth or a coffee filter and string

Directions

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan (or crock-pot to keep it hot)
Place the cinnamon, cloves, allspice, orange and lemon in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth or coffee filter; fold up the sides to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.
Place the saucepan/crock-pot over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling. Feel free to stir the spice bundle around to distribute evenly throughout the cider mixture.
Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle (or at least the orange & lemon since leaving for too long might make the cider bitter). Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desire.
Sit back, drink up, and enjoy!

Is your mouth watering yet? If not… I don’t know what to tell you ): For those of you excited to make your house smell like Fall, let me know how it turns out! I can’t wait to get started 😀

To go along with these delicious and incredible looking delights, it would only make sense to look amazing yourself! Try one of the following outfits, one for day and one for night, or mix and match one of your own; invite your friends over for a nice Fall treat, and have fun!