Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes

These cupcakes are for serious apple lovers.  They're especially wonderful in the fall, but are just as delicious in the winter.  Each element of this cupcake is really special on it's own, so when they're all combined into one dessert, it's bound to me amazing!

The cupcake is made with a fresh apple cake batter with nice chunks of apple throughout.  The filling is a homemade mulled apple cider jam, with hints of cinnamon and citrus.  Sliky salted caramel Swiss meringue buttercream tops the cupcake, adding a buttery, caramel flavor without too much sweet.  Finally, a drizzle of salted caramel tops off the whole creation.

Mulled Apple Cider Jam
1 1/4 firm apples (approx. 3), such as Granny Smith or Gala
1 cup water
2 2-inch strips of lemon peel
2 2-inch strips of orange peel
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 2-inch cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
pinch of fresh grated nutmeg
7 oz granulated sugar (approx. 1 cup)

Core & peel the apples and cut into 1/2 inch chunks.  You need about 1 lb chopped apples.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, water, lemon peel, orange peel, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, and nutmeg.  Bring to a boil, cover, and then simmer until apples are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add sugar and continue to cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Mash the apples and cook until mixture is clear and very thick while stirring frequently, about 20-25 minutes.  The mixture should register 215 degrees on a thermometer.  Cool at room temperature.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.
Recipe from Form V Artisan

All-In-One Holiday Bundt Cake

This cake takes all the favorite flavors of the holidays and bakes them up into one tasty treat.  Apple, Pumpkin, & Cranberries are all mixed into the cake spiced with cinnamon and ginger.  I used my new favorite glaze to top this cake and give it a sparkly finish.

All-In-One Holiday Bundt Cake
recipe from Dorie Greenspan
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch of salt
1 tsp ground ginger
1 1/4 sticks (10 Tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temp
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree
1 large apple, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
1 cup cranberries, chopped coarsely
optional: 1 cup pecans, chopped coarsely

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger in a large bowl and set aside.

Beat butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment at medium speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute in between eggs.  Beat in vanilla, then reduce speed of mixer to low and add in pumpkin and apple.  Next, add in the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.  Using a rubber spatula, fold in the cranberries and pecans.  Transfer batter to a bundt pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray and bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes.  Let cool 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

Southern Comfort Caramel Apple Pie

The Perfect Apple Pie recipe I posted last week was a delicious and simple apple pie.  This apple pie was on a whole other level.  The apples are cooked in cinnamon, caramel & southern comfort and then topped with a brown sugar & pecan streusel.  The apples are perfectly cooked, not mushy, while the streusel is nice and crunchy.

This will be making a presence at my Thanksgiving Dinner table.  Check out my Holiday Treats ordering page to order one for yourself!

Recipe from Ezra Pound Cake

Apple Cider Caramels

Caramel & apple are two of my favorite fall flavors (if you haven't guessed by now!).  I found these yummy treats on on Pinterest & they were the perfect answer to some leftover apple cider.

These tasty little treats were bursting with favor & were thoroughly enjoyed.  Everyone was impressed with how much of the apple cider flavor came through.  They are a perfect fall treat!

Apple Cider Caramels
Recipe from Our Best Bites 

2 cup high-quality apple cider 
1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream, divided
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup real butter, cubed

- Pour cider into a medium saucepan and boil on high for about 20 minutes or until the cider is reduced to 1/3 c. Keep an eye on it...it might try to run away. Set aside to cool.
- Line an 8" square pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave about 1" hanging over the edges for easy removal. Coat with a bit of vegetable oil and set aside. 
- In a small bowl, combine 2/3 c. cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and reduced apple cider. Set aside.
- In a large, heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, 1/3 c. whipping cream + enough water to reach the 1/2 c. line on the measuring cup, and corn syrup. Cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Insert the candy thermometer and simmer until the syrup reaches 234 degrees.
- Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the cream mixture. Add the cubed butter and stir until the cream and butter are fully incorporated. Return the pan to heat and re-insert the candy thermometer. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the temperature reaches 248 degrees.
- Remove from heat and pour the caramel into the prepared pan. Let the mixture cool completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Cut the caramels into 1/2" squares and wrap each caramel in wax paper.

Perfect Apple Pie

I've been on the hunt for the *perfect* apple pie.  It's one of my husband's favorite desserts, and he loves being the test subject for my experiments.  This time, I turned to my newest cookbook, Baking Illustrated.  They did not disappoint.

I made this in my tart pan (another experiment) which is why it's not as thick.  That aside, it was truly the perfect apple pie!  I think what I've been missing along was the allspice!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie

If there is only room for one dessert on your holiday table, this should be it!

A graham cracker crust, filled with a layer of caramel and pecans, topped with a layer of apples sauteed with brown sugar & cinnamon, and a layer of creamy cheesecake.  Whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel & a sprinkle of pecans add the finishing touch to this delicious dessert.

Want one for Thanksgiving?  Check out my Holiday Treats page for ordering information.

Recipe from Annie's Eats