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Simple Apple Tarts

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As I was cleaning out my refrigerator I found some sad, wrinkled apples. Me being me, and not being fond of wasting food I decided to make these apples into a dessert. There wasn’t enough for an apple pie so I scoured my cupboard and found a few silicon baking tart pans.

Apple Tart Recipe

My make do Apple Tart recipe is very easy. Had to be, I was short on time and was feeling lazy. Pyrex glass bowls work just as well for this, I just didn’t have a matching set. Yes it’s all about taking the food photos I tell my husband as he rolls his eyes. 

Ingredients

  • 1 apple per tart (any kind you have around)
  • Cinnamon, Allspice, Nutmeg, white sugar (to tell you the truth I didn’t measure, geee surprise)
  • 1 TBSP Flour  per tart
  • Butter (1 TBSP per tart) GOTTA have real butter
Pie Crust (I do measure on this)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled (again, gotta have REAL butter)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1/3 cup ice water

Instructions (Filling)

  1. Slice one apple per tart directly into baking dish
  2. Mix flour, sugar and spices together
  3. Sprinkle liberally on apples
  4. Place a pat of butter on apples
  5. Cut out rolled pie crust and place on apples, cut vent holes in crust.
  6. Brush with butter or egg whites (which I forgot, but it makes the end result look pretty)
  7. Bake on cookie sheet in 350 oven for 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown

Directions  for Pie Crust (taken from Allrecipes, red edits on what I really did)

  1. Combine flour and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer. (I used a plain bowl) Cut butter or margarine or butter and shortening into tablespoon pieces; add it to the flour and butter. Use the paddle beater (fork) to cut the butter and flour together. Alternatively, this can be done by hand with a pastry blender. ( I used to have one)
  2. With the mixer on low speed , or while stirring the mixture with a fork, pour in the cold water. When the dough starts to clump, and before it turns into a ball, stop stirring.
  3. Lightly knead (mix and mash with hands)  dough in the bowl until it forms a ball. Divide dough into two parts. Flatten each part into a disk, and chill for about 30 minutes before rolling (didn’t do that, just put out on floured counter and rolled with my Pampered Chef Roller).
Almost forgot the end result. Eat and enjoy
Apple Pie Tart

Day 287/365: The Best Caramel Apple Dip in the World

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The Worlds Best Caramel Apple Dip

Found this Caramel Apple Dip recipe several years ago, and it’s the best I’ve every had. I should know,  I’m a caramel apple addict. Every year I lose my index card and have to dig for it again, but it always turns up in a drawer, or my recipe box, in the wrong section.

So I’m posting it here for posterity, then I can always do a search where ever I am. Yes, the recipe is at the bottom and I did eat all the apples on the plate and the 1/2 cup of dip in the bowl. Yes, I’m a pig, oink, oink, smile.

Caramel Apple Dip
Caramel Apple Dip

The fastest way I’ve found to slice apples is obviously with a STURDY heavy duty apple slicer, don’t get the cheap variety, but the ones with big handles for lots of leverage. If you’re slicing lots of apples, say for a Fall Harvest Party or a Halloween get together then you will want to treat them so they won’t turn brown.

How to Keep Sliced Apples From Turning Brown

Amco Dial-A-Slice Adjustable Apple Corer and Slicer

You can soak your apples in a bowl of water mixed with either citric acid and water  (found in canning supplies) pineapple juice, lemon juice, or a salt water bath. The choice is yours. Here are a few suggestions

  • Honey and Water: 2 TBSP per cup of water
  • Salt Water: 1/8 teaspoon per sup of water
  • Lemon Juice and Water: 1 Tablespoon per cup of water
  • Fruitfresh: 1 teaspoon per cup water
Caramel Apple Dip recipe
Caramel Apple Dip recipe

Caramel Apple Dip Recipe

Here’s the recipe as I found it in Taste of Home’s Simple & Delicious magazine 2006

Ingredients & Directions

  • 1 package (14 oz) caramels
  • 20 large marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted (mmm butter)
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream (full octane cream, mmmm)
  • Apple slices
  1. Place caramels in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute.
  2. Add marshmallows (which in my opinion don’t count as sugar) ;
  3. Microwave for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted, stirring occasionally.
  4. Whisk in butter and cream until combined.
  5. Serve with apple slices. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield 2 1/2 cups

I have made this every year and every year it is a hit. The last time was for a football and harvest moon party and I made a double batch and kept the dip warm in a small slow cooker. Seriously, there were kids filling cups of caramel to and scooping it out like candy. I’m the same way, my husband asks me, “Having some apples with your dip”, yup, this apple dip it THAT good!

Oster TSP100 Serving Platter with Center Warming PotHamilton Beach 33416 Party Crock Set, Red

Apple Recipes for Fall

My neighbor has apples and I’m looking for good apple recipes I can fix and freeze, or even can. Something besides applesauce, maybe even a good apple pie filling recipe. If you have one please share. In the mean time I’m going to be scouring Pinterest and some recipe books.

Apples Cookbook: 101 Recipes with ApplesThe Apple Cookbook, 3rd Edition: 125 Freshly Picked Recipes

These Are the Best Apple Recipes For Fall

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Sweet and savory apple recipes for fall

It’s officially apple season. If you’re inundated with the fruit of fall, here are some sweet and savory recipes that can put your apples — and your stomach — to work. Click on the link in the slides for each recipe. Dutch apple pie. If you’re a fan …

5 irresistible apple recipes to bake this autumn

To get you in the mood for fall 2015, we’ve assembled some of our favorite apple recipes from the PennLive files. Apple Pound Cake. Ingredients: 4 medium-size tart apples; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour …

The Apple Recipes That You’ve Been Waiting For All Year

We’ve found 26 apple recipes to make sure you take advantage of fall’s greatest gift. And they’ll also help make sure you’re spending time in the kitchen, because there’s no better place to be in the fall than cozied up next to a warm oven with the …

14 Apple Recipes To Make With Your Orchard Haul This Fall

Labor day has come and gone, meaning it’s only a matter of time before warm days cool to sweater weather, and leaves begin turning. Autumn’s arrival brings a new batch of outdoor activities, and with orchards reopening to the public, apple picking …

Autumn appeal: Recipes for the bounty of apple season

I’ve reached into The Journal recipe archives for some easy ideas from the women who were helping run local orchards back in 1986. Because when it comes to apple recipes, local growers have some of the best. Other recipes come from 2006 and 2011.