Caramel Apple Jalousie Food

PERFECT CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Mix 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar dissolves. Cook, swirling the pan (do not stir), until the mixture is light amber and a candy thermometer registers 320 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; slowly whisk in 1/2 cup heavy cream, then 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Return to low heat and whisk until smooth. Let cool until the caramel is thick enough to coat a spoon. Insert sticks into the stem ends of 6 apples and dip the apples into the caramel, letting the excess drip off. Roll in toppings if desired, then let cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Add the sugar, corn syrup and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir a few times before the sugar begins to boil to combine the ingredients. Attach a candy thermometer to the inside of the pan and bring the syrup to a boil. Cook until the syrup begins to turn an amber color, then swirl the syrup to even out the color. Continue to cook until the syrup is a deep amber and the thermometer reads between 375 and 380 degrees F, then remove from the heat. Carefully pour in the cream and gently whisk to combine. Stir in the butter, vanilla and a pinch of salt until smooth. Keep off the heat but keep the thermometer attached to the pan.
• Pierce the apples through the stem ends about halfway through with candy apple sticks. Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• When the temperature of the caramel reads around 190 degrees F, dip an apple, using the stick as a handle and swirling to coat completely. Allow excess caramel to drip off the bottom and use a spatula to help remove any large amount of caramel, as it will pool around the apple when you set it down to cool on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining apples, gently heating the caramel on the stovetop over low heat, stirring, if it gets too thick for dipping. Allow the caramel to set and cool completely before serving or wrapping apples, about 1 hour. (See Cook's Note.)

CARAMEL APPLE JALOUSIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Toss the apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon and Skor bits and set aside. Place the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured work surface and roll it (if needed) to a 10-inch square. Cut a rectangle that is 4-x-10-inches and place this on the prepared baking tray and brush it with egg wash. Cut a second rectangle that is 4 ½-x-10-inches and return it to the fridge to keep cold. Cut the remaining pastry dough into ½-inch strips. Place the strips on the base of the strudel, on its outside edges, trimming if needed and brushing with egg wash (this creates a frame to hold in the apple filling). Spoon the apples into the centre of this. Pull the top portion of the pastry from the fridge and make slits at ½-inch intervals. Place this over the apples, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with Turbinado sugar. Bake the jalousie for 10 minutes at 400 F and then reduce the oven temperature to 375 F and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until it is a rich golden brown. Serve the jalousie warm or at room temperature.

CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• In a heavy 3-qt. saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and milk; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 248° (firm-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Insert wooden sticks into apples. Dip each apple into hot caramel mixture; turn to coat. Set on waxed paper to cool. If desired, roll the bottom of the dipped apples into chopped peanuts.