Quick Caramel Apples

June 18, 2009 | Posted by Lorraine as Candies & Truffles Recipe at 4:34 pm | Comments »

caramel-apples

I realize that caramel apples may not exactly be what comes to mind when you think of quick sweets to prepare, but trust me- this recipe is easy. And tooth-achingly delicious. And- because you use honey instead of sugar- quite possibly good for you. Let’s get started, shall we?

First, you need apples. I had small fuji apples on hand, but feel free to use any apples of your choice. Golden delicious, granny smith… indeed, if you like the combination of sweet and tart, try going with a good crispy green apple. Make sure your apples are cold. This recipe made me around six caramel apples- but I like to lay my caramel on thickly.

Then get your other ingredients in line: a cup of heavy cream, half a teaspoon of kosher salt, and a cup of honey. Oh, and some good sturdy popsicle sticks. That’s it. Didn’t I tell you this would be easy?

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat (I used the latter). Spear each apple through with a popsicle stick, and set aside.

In a heavy saucepan, heat the heavy cream and kosher salt just until tiny bubbles start forming. You’ll want to use medium-low heat for this. Do not bring this to a boil. Not yet, anyway. Stir in the honey gently- then bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. If you have a candy thermometer, you want it to reach 250F degrees, or until nice and thick but still quite liquid. Remove from the heat immediately.

Dip each apple in the caramel. Optionally, roll the apple in some chopped nuts after doing so. Place on your parchment-lined baking sheet, and let set. It doesn’t take very long to set. Mmmm.

Happy Easter!

April 12, 2009 | Posted by Lorraine as Candies & Truffles Recipe, Holiday Fun at 1:06 pm | Comments »

Easter Eggs

I trust most of you’ll be sitting down to a delicious Easter brunch (or lunch) very soon. We’re celebrating quietly (and with a to-die-for lamb roast, of course), but I just wanted to greet you all a very Happy Easter- and leave you with some links to ideas for leftover Easter candy:

Leftover Cadbury Creme Eggs
This being my all-time favorite springtime chocolate, I sadly don’t expect to have any leftovers around here. In case you do, however, you might want to try making Cadbury Creme Egg Ice Cream, some Creme Egg Cupcakes, or the slightly um- odd- pimped-out giant creme egg.

Leftover Peeps
The Peeps S’mores over at Cakespy look absolutely delicious (and she has other ideas as well!), or for something too cute for words, these Peeps Cupcakes from Baking Bites.

Other Easter Candy
Chop ‘em all up, and put them in an Easter Candy Cake, or use instead of the chocolate chips in a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Pretzels German-like

December 21, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as Candies & Truffles Recipe, Chocolate, Dessert Recipes, Snack Recipes at 12:05 am | (3) Comments »

Thinking of a good foodie gift for Christmas? Or maybe you need to whip up quick snacks for people to munch on. Here is a perfect recipe for you – Chocolate pretzels from Germany. I found this recipe from Taste.com.au and I think that it just might be a hit this year.

Ingredients
• 125g butter, softened
• 1/2 cup pure icing sugar
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 200g good-quality dark cooking chocolate, chopped

Method
1. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and icing sugar until pale and creamy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Sift flour and cocoa over butter mixture. Stir until dough comes together. Transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead dough until smooth. Press into a 1.5cm-thick disc. Wrap in baking paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm enough to roll.
2. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 large, flat baking trays with baking paper. Using 2 teaspoons dough per biscuit, roll out dough into 20cm-long sausage shapes. Bend into horseshoe shapes, with ends towards you. Cross over ends. Rest ends on top loop of dough. Place on baking tray. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, swapping trays after 6 minutes, or until golden and firm to touch. Allow biscuits to cool on trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water (do not allow base of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally with a metal spoon until chocolate is melted and smooth.
4. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Dip each pretzel into chocolate. Place on baking trays. Allow chocolate to set.

What do you think? Looks easy enough to make?

Mock Reese’s Pieces

August 31, 2008 | Posted by Lorena as Candies & Truffles Recipe, Dessert Recipes at 9:47 am | (1) Comment »

chocolate peanut butter Ingredients 2 cups crushed graham crackers1 cup melted butter1 cup peanut butter2 cups powdered sugar6 ounces chocolate chipsWhat’s NextMix together above ingredients except chocolate chips. Press into 9 x 13 inch greased pan. Let set in refrigerator to cool. Melt chocolate chips and spread over top for frosting. Cut into bars

Candy Canes

December 10, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Candies & Truffles Recipe, From the Heart, Gift Ideas, Recipe at 1:05 pm | (2) Comments »

What’s Christmas without candy canes? Make a batch the traditional way with a family recipe that’s been handed down from generation to generation. A wonderful and inexpensive gift for carolers, co-workers, neighbors or teachers since it costs just a dollar to make a dozen.

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
red food coloring

Instructions
Cook sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar to a very hard ball stage (use candy thermometer: 250 to 265 degrees F.). Remove from heat and add peppermint. Divide into two parts and add red coloring to one part and mix well. Pull pieces of each part to form ropes and twist red around the white to make candy canes.

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