Mini Chocolate Dipped Caramel Apples With Vanilla Swirls Food

APPLE-VANILLA MINI MUFFINS WITH CIDER GLAZE

Steps:

• For the apple-vanilla muffins: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and center an oven rack. Line a mini-muffin tray with your favorite liners.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
• Combine the sugar, butter and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until light and creamy, about 4 minutes, scraping as needed. Add the egg and beat until incorporated (don't worry if the batter curdles). Adjust to medium-low speed and alternate adding the flour mixture and the sour cream in batches, beginning and ending with the flour. Fold in the apples using a spatula.
• Grease a small ice-cream scoop (about 1 1/4 inches) with nonstick spray and fill the liners about 3/4 of the way to the top.
• Bake, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the muffins comes out clean and the tops spring back when touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Let rest in the hot muffin pan for 3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
• For the cider glaze: Boil the cider with the cinnamon stick over medium-high heat until the cider is reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Whisk in the honey and continue to boil until the liquid is syrupy and just coats the back of a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick and remove from the heat. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar and transfer to a small bowl. Let sit until slightly set but still warm, about 3 minutes.
• Dip the tops of the muffins in the glaze and serve.

MINI CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
• Wash the apples well, then dry them thoroughly. Insert candy apple sticks into the stem end of the apples.
• Combine the caramels, cream and salt in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly melted and smooth, 7 to 8 minutes. Dip an apple into the caramel, tilting the pan if necessary to ensure the apple is well-coated. Roll the apples in the garnishes if using. Repeat with the remaining apples and caramel. Cool completely on the parchment paper, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the paper and serve.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED APPLE RINGS

Steps:

• Finely chop 8 ounces semisweet chocolate. Microwave three-quarters of the chocolate and 1 teaspoon shortening in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted, then stir in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Dip dried apple rings in the chocolate; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray and chill until set.

APPLE-VANILLA MINI MUFFINS WITH CIDER GLAZE

Steps:

• 1. For the apple-vanilla muffins: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and center an oven rack. Line a mini-muffin tray with your favorite liners.
• 2. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg together in a large bowl.
• 3. Combine the sugar, butter and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until light and creamy, about 4 minutes, scraping as needed. Add the egg and beat until incorporated (don't worry if the batter curdles). Adjust to medium-low speed and alternate adding the flour mixture and the sour cream in batches, beginning and ending with the flour. Fold in the apples using a spatula.
• 4. Grease a small ice-cream scoop (about 1 1/4 inches) with nonstick spray and fill the liners about 3/4 of the way to the top.
• 5. Bake, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the muffins comes out clean and the tops spring back when touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Let rest in the hot muffin pan for 3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
• 6. For the cider glaze: Boil the cider with the cinnamon stick over medium-high heat until the cider is reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Whisk in the honey and continue to boil until the liquid is syrupy and just coats the back of a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick and remove from the heat. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar and transfer to a small bowl. Let sit until slightly set but still warm, about 3 minutes.
• 7. Dip the tops of the muffins in the glaze and serve.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE GINGER SWIRLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the gingerbread mix according to package instructions. Using a tablespoon, roll dough into balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Slightly flatten each cookie. Bake for 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and cool completely.
• Place a scant 1/2 teaspoon of caramel topping on each cookie center. Top with 1/2 teaspoon chocolate topping. Carefully work chocolate to within 1/4-inch of the edge of the cookies. Place in freezer for 20 to 25 minutes to set. Serve immediately.

MINI CHOCOLATE DIPPED CARAMEL APPLES WITH VANILLA SWIRLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Remove the stem from each apple and press a wooden stick into the top. Put the caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 4 minutes, stirring once. Add more time in 30 second increments, if needed.
• Roll each apple quickly in the caramel sauce until well coated and shake to remove the excess. Arrange on the baking sheet to set. Cool for 30 minutes.
• Melt the chocolate candy melts in a double boiler. Dip the cooled apples into the chocolate and return to the baking sheet. Cool for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Fill a microwavable squeeze bottle halfway with colored vanilla flavored candy melts and microwave it in 30 second increments, squeezing the bottle to distribute the heat. Drizzle on the cooled apples and decorate with a bow when completed.