Caramel Apple Toffee Dip

I love caramel!  If it has caramel in it, then I approve.  There are about a million recipes out there on the web for this type of recipe.  So let me add my version to all the others.  It's a simple dip for just about any type of fruit.  But apples are the best.  But don't stop there, crackers and cookies are good dipped into this as well.

Caramel Apple Toffee Dip

1 8 ounce cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup toffee bits

Beat cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla with electric mixer until smooth.  Stir in toffee bits.  Serve.

Notes:

I have also heated this recipe in a small crockpot for caramel fondue.  The toffee chips will start to break down though. 

To keep apples from turning brown, soak in pineapple juice for 15 minutes.  Drain before serving.  Save in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator.  They will not go brown for a few days after doing this.  Plus you won't taste the pineapple juice like you do when they are soaked in lemon juice.

Apple Spice Drop Cookies

Here's another simple apple dessert.  I found this one on the web.  I needed to take cookies to a family gathering and wanted to try out another new recipe using apples.  The taste was similar to the apples squares.  But the nutmeg gives these a slightly different taste.

I found this recipe at pastrywiz.com. 

Apple Spice Drop Cookies

makes about 3 dozen

1/2 Cup butter, softened
2/3 Cup sugar
2/3 Cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 Cup apple juice
2 1/4 Cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. baking soda
1/2 Tsp. nutmeg
1 Cup apples, peeled, finely chopped (about 2 apples)
1 Cup walnuts, chopped

FROSTING:
1/4 Cup butter, softened
3 Cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3-4 Tbs. apple juice

In a mixing bowl cream the butter and the sugars together.  Beat in the egg and apple juice.  Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl and gradually add the dry ingredients to the sugar mix, blend well and then add the apples and walnuts.

Place on a greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.

Bake at 375 degrees for 13 minutes or until golden brown

Frosting:

Add the sugar, butter, vanilla and apple juice together and mix until smooth. Frost cooled cookies.

 I hope you enjoy these as much as we did. They were gone pretty quick!

 

Mom's Apple Squares

We have been loving the apples this fall!

I wanted to try out a few new recipes using apples.  Not surprisingly, when I started looking for recipes I kept coming back to the desserts with apples.  Here's one we all enjoyed.  It comes from Phyllis Hoffman's Celebrate Fall.  It was simple and quick to make.  I even liked that the recipe didn't have you peel the apples.  I'm also really enjoying my new subscription to the Celebrate magazines!

Mom's Apple Squares
3 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups chopped unpeeled Braeburn or Gala apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting

1 cup powdered sugar

1 T. butter, softened

2 to 3 T milk

Coat a 15x10 inch jelly-roll pan with cooking spray and flour, set aside.  In a large bowl, combine eggs and salt.  Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until frothy, about 1 minute.  Add sugar and oil, beat until blended.  Add flour, baking soda and cinnamon, beat until blended.  Fold in apples, nuts and vanilla.  Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly.  Baket at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned and set.  Cool.

Combine frosting ingredients to acheive a spreadable consistency.  Spread over cooled cake.

I actually used pecans instead of walnuts, a personal choice when it comes to nuts.  I also just drizzled the frosting over the cake.  I thought it was easier and wasn't overkill with the frosting.  Now if you have any apples laying around, go and bake some for yourself.