Caramel Apples

Apples are in full swing right now, and caramel is always amazing.  Need I say more?

Now, I am all about buying pre-packaged caramels and melting them for an easy apple dipping sauce, but if you find yourself needing a home-made version, this one is pretty great.

You can roll these babies in whatever toppings your heart desires, but we opted for mini M&M's, home made granola, coconut, sliced almonds, and drizzled chocolate.

Caramel Apples

Recipe from Our Best Bites

1 lb. dark brown sugar (about 2 cups packed)

2 sticks butter

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

2/3 c. dark corn syrup (I used honey)

1/3 c. pure maple syrup

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. molasses

1/4 tsp. salt

Apples (covers at least 12)

popscicle sticks

assorted toppings of choice

Thoroughly wash and dry apples.

Place sticks in apples and place in a dish or baking sheet in the fridge to chill.

Prepare toppings in bowls.

To make the caramel, combine the first 8 ingredients in a large nonstick saucepan.

Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves (about 15 minutes), occasionally wiping down the sides of the pan.

Increase heat to medium-high.

Cook caramel at a rolling boil, stirring constantly but slowly, until candy thermometer registers 236 degrees (about 10-15 minutes).

Pour caramel into a deep, skinny bowl, large enough to fit an apple.

Dip chilled apples in caramel mixture, and roll in desired toppings.

Reheat caramel if it becomes too thick to dip.

Apple Fritter Bread

This delicious, festive fall loaf is bursting with that classic apple cinnamon flavor!  This is great as an alternative to muffins in the morning, or perfect for an afternoon snack.  It could even double as a dessert, though I majorly deducted the amount of sugar called for.  I also opted for whole wheat flour, but you could use white if that is what you like or have on hand.  You can use any type of apple you have lying around, but granny smith are always a great choice for baking.
We all loved it, especially the kiddo's!

Apple Fritter Bread

Recipe modified from The Baking ChocolaTess

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/3 c. white sugar

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. flour (white or wheat)

1 3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. milk

2 apples, peeled and chopped

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Glaze

1/4 c. powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. milk or cream, plus more if needed for consistency

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat white sugar and butter together until creamy.

Add eggs, one at a time, blending after each addition.

Add vanilla.

Add flour and baking powder into creamed mixture and stir until blended.

Add milk, and mix until smooth.

In a separate bowl, add the remaining Tbsp. sugar and tsp. cinnamon to the chopped apples, and stir to coat evenly.

Pour half of the batter into a large greased loaf pan.

Sprinkle half of the chopped apples over batter.

Sprinkle half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture over apples.

Lightly pat apple mixture into batter.

Pout remaining batter over the apples.

Top with remaining apples, and remaining brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Lightly pat apples into batter.

Using a knife or spoon, gently swirl the brown sugar mixture through loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in middle of loaf comes out clean.

To make the glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk together, adding more of either until desired consistency is reached.

Let bread cool for at least 15 minutes before drizzling with glaze.

Green Tomato Enchilada Sauce {Canned}

This recipe is like a mix between enchilada sauce and salsa verde (which to be honest I don't really know the difference).  You can certainly pour this over your tacos and burritos, or use as a dip for chips.  I wanted a canned version of this recipe - a favorite when making chicken enchilada chili, and a great go to for delicious enchiladas like these ones.  However, I don't usually grow tomatillos, but green tomatoes seem to be in abundance this time of year as cold nights freeze exposed portions of my tomato plants.  I cringe at all of the green tomatoes still left on the vine, with no time to ripen, and this recipe solves my problem.

This is easy and delicious, and a great way to clean up the remaining produce from the garden.  And there is nothing like opening up a can of that garden goodness all through the winter.  Using a blender makes a big difference here - just throw it in and pulse, no need to skin, chop or dice anything.

I adapted this recipe from Our Best Bites, as well as Montana Homesteader, while still making it suitable for home canning, but you can certainly freeze this if the idea of canning intimidates you. 

Green Tomato Enchilada Sauce

9 lbs. green tomatoes, cored and rough chopped (about 24 cups)

2 extra large onions (about 4 c. pureed)

4 green bell peppers (about 3 c. pureed)

2-3 jalapeños, whole

1 1/2 c. lime juice (about 9 juiced limes with pulp)

2 bunches cilantro

2 heaping Tbsp. roasted garlic (or minced)

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. cumin

2 Tbsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

Heat a large pot over medium heat.

Puree green tomatoes and add to the pot.

Rough chop onions and puree in blender, then add to the pot and stir.

Puree bell peppers with jalapeños, then add to pot and stir to combine.

Combine lime juice and cilantro in the blender and puree.

To the pot add garlic, sugar, cumin, salt, pepper and cilantro lime mixture.

Stir to combine, and adjust seasonings as needed.

Ladle hot enchilada sauce into hot, sterilized jars.

Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, and top with sterilized lids.

Screw on bands and place in prepared pressure cooker.

Process in a pressure cooker at 11 lbs. for 20 minutes.

Be sure to adjust for altitude (13 lbs. of pressure for Utah).

Makes 13 pints.