Red Candy Apples

Since most of the children in our neighborhood have grown too old to trick-or-treat we haven't handed any candy out for the past 4 or 5 years, but the Hubs always reminds me to buy a bag of his favorite peanut butter cups, "just in case".  So while I was out getting said peanut butter cups, he called to tell me 3 trick-or-treaters had just knocked on our door.  Not knowing where I stash the emergency treats, he explained the situation to the parents and told them the only thing he had to offer were homemade candy apples.  They happily accepted - crisis averted.

Anyway, this recipe tastes exactly like the candy apples I ate at street fairs when I was a child.  They're pretty easy to make, but you definitely need a candy thermometer to ensure the sugar reaches the proper temperature.  Items that are helpful, but not completely necessary are:  a silicone silpat liner or parchment, and a copper sugar pot (or similarly sized heavy-bottom sauce pan).

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• copper sugar pot https://amzn.to/3UjxTLF

• cinnamon imperial candies (red hots) https://amzn.to/3U1lufT

• candy thermometer https://amzn.to/3T1rgfW

• silicone mat https://amzn.to/3DWjhMS

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Red Candy Apples

Printable Recipe

makes 8-10 apples

Ingredients

• 8-10 apples, washed and stems removed

• 8-10 popsicle sticks

• 1/2 cup red hot candies (cinnamon imperials)

• 1/2 cup light corn syrup

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 15 drops red gel paste food coloring

Directions

1. Prepare apples by washing, drying, and removing their stems.

2. Push popsicle sticks about an inch into the stem end of the apples.

3. Over medium-high heat, combine red hots, corn syrup, water, sugar, and food coloring in copper sugar pot (or similar heavy-bottom sauce pan); cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and red hots dissolve.

4. Stop stirring, place candy thermometer in the pan, and continue to cook until the temperature reaches 302F (150C).

5. Turn off heat and remove candy thermometer from the pan; allow syrup to stop bubbling, about 2 minutes.

6. Tilt the pan so the hot syrup pools to one side and carefully dip the apples, one at a time, turning to coat completely.

7. Allow excess sugar syrup to drip back into the pan before placing the coated apples on a Silpat liner or parchment paper to harden (about 5 minutes).

8. Cool completely before serving.

Note

• Best eaten within 24 hours.

recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

(affiliate links)

Blueberry Kuchen

My dearest friend is an excellent cook so when she sent me this recipe and insisted I make it, I knew it would be fabulous.  It's comprised of 3 layers, a lemon and nutmeg scented cake base, a luscious blueberry middle, and a sweet crumb topping.  Delish, and it takes less than an hour to make. 

Blueberry Kuchen

makes one 9x13 pan

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (yellow parts only, no white)

• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

• 1/4 teaspoon table salt

• 2/3 cup milk

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (I used frozen)

For the topping:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with non-stick baking spray.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the dry ingredient; mix just until combined.

4. Add milk, butter, egg, and vanilla; beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes.

5. Pour into prepared pan.

6. Spread blueberries on top of cake batter.

7. In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients together with a fork until crumbles form.

8. Sprinkle crumbles evenly over blueberries.

9. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

adapted from Taste of Home