Mystery Lovers' Kitchen: #Halloween Chocolate Caramel Apple Slices + book OR tote bag #giveaway from author @DarylWoodGerber

Winners

Congrats to Kristin Schadler, winner of the March "Around the Kitchen Table" prize: new books by Daryl Wood Gerber, Denise Swanson, and Lucy Burdette!

Congrats to Gayle B, who won of a choice of books by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Congrats to Jana Leah who won a choice of Cookbook Nook Mystery by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Congratulations to VickinV... who won a choice of Cozy Mystery by Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames.

Congratulations to P.J. Coldren who won a copy of Trouble on the Books by Essie Lang.

Congratulations to Autumn Trapani who won a copy of Tastes Like Murder by Catherine Bruns.

Congratulations to Sheryl Sens, Lisa Sabatini, and Kim Hansen who won their choice of Spice Shop Mysteries by Leslie Budewitz.

Congratulations to Linda Herold, who won Mrs. Jeffries Delivers the Goods by Emily Brightwell!

Congratulations to Margie H, who won Amanda Flower's Assaulted Caramel.

Congratulations CarolSue! You've won our February Around the Kitchen Table giveaway of books from Cleo Coyle, Daryl Wood Gerber and Peg Cochran!

Congrats to Debbie Price who won Tina Kashian's STABBED IN THE BAKLAVA!

Congratulations to Kara M. who won a copy of Just Plain Murder by Laura Bradford.

Labels

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

#Halloween Chocolate Caramel Apple Slices + book OR tote bag #giveaway from author @DarylWoodGerber

SPOOKY GIVEAWAY BELOW!

From Daryl aka Avery:

Halloween is so much fun. I love the decorations - even the gory ones - and I love seeing kids in their costumes. I also love many of the foods that people bring out during this time. Orange-toned foods. Chili. Cider.

I love buying a bag of candy at the store, putting it in the freezer, and not sharing it with anyone. Usually Milky Way, truth be told. They're great frozen!

I also love to surf Pinterest, as I've said in the past. There are so many clever decorating ideas. I found many of the colorful ideas I included into STIRRING THE PLOT, the Halloween-themed Cookbook Nook Mystery, on Pinterest.

I also find photos on Pinterest of goodies that I know I have to learn how to make. I found these apple slices on Pinterest and followed the link to the blog: Domestically Blissful.

As the blog will reveal, these treats took a bit of experimentation, but they were so much fun and the kids loved them!

I have to admit her caramel looked a LOT MORE ORANGE than my caramel. Might just be the choice of caramel.

Note:

I’ve decided that these Chocolate Caramel Apple Slices – I start my recipe title with chocolate because let’s face it, they are mostly chocolate! - are the easiest way to enjoy this special fall dessert! Plus they make great party treats.

From Domestically Blissful, here are 5 suggestions to help ensure perfect Apple Slices, though I have tweaked them to show what I learned or did differently.

Cut thick apple slices so the stick stays secure. Approximately 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick works great.
Make sure to pat down the apples to soak up any extra apple juice.
Allow some of the melted chocolate to drip onto the stick. This will act as a sort of edible glue that holds the stick and apple together.
Don’t drizzle caramel on your slices until chocolate is set.
Domestically Blissful also wrote: "I recommend that you make them and eat them in the same day. The longer they sit the greater the chance for a weeping caramel apple slice, which will cause the yummy coating to break or slide off in some areas." HOWEVER, I, Daryl, didn’t have this problem as I kept them refrigerated until ready to eat. 2 FULL DAYS. The kids ate every bite! Nothing hit the floor!

CARAMEL APPLE SLICES

Ingredients:

Apples – make sure they are crisp – each makes 3-4 slices

White or Wooden Lollipop Sticks

Melting Chocolate (*1 used Wilton’s; purchased at Michael’s Art Store)

Caramel ( I used Smucker’s caramel topping; I might melt Kraft caramels in future)

Toppings – optional ( I used crushed cashews)

Instructions:

First wash & slice your apples, remove the seeds, insert the stick at the bottom, and pat the apple slices dry. (I didn’t remove the seeds, figuring I wouldn’t eat to the core of this treat.)

Cover each apple slice in melted chocolate and place on a piece of wax paper to dry. Here's how I did it: I painted the chocolate on with a spoon. I did one side, let it harden, and then flipped the slices (setting them on parchment paper) and painted the other and the edges of the apples.

Let harden.

Then drizzle the caramel and press other toppings on top of your apple slices.

Let harden and set in refrigerator for up to two days.

One slice is enough for any dessert eater!