Chocolate Covered Pralines

These pralines are a sweet treat to make as gifts for friends and family! They are easy to make, and look great when finished. A nice way to say thank you or just thinking of you! They will be truly appreciated by others. That's if you can resist the temptation of not eating them all yourself! They are very tasty, and quite addicting!

What you'll need:

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

1 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar, packed

1/4 t Salt

3 T Corn Syrup

1 Cup Evaporated Milk

2 T Butter

1 t Vanilla

1 1/2 Cups Chopped Pecans

2 Cups Chocolate Chips

How to make:

In a 2 quart saucepan, add sugars, salt, corn syrup, milk and butter. Stirring constantly over medium heat, mix until sugar dissolves and comes to a boil. Using a candy thermometer, boil until mixture reaches 236 degrees. Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. When slightly cooled, stir in vanilla and nuts.

Spray 2 small muffin pans (12 count) with cooking spray to prevent candy from sticking. Spoon mixture into bottom of each muffin pan and transfer to refrigerator to set up and cool. Once cooled, remove from frig. Flip muffin pans over to release pralines.

In a small saucepan, melt 2 cups chocolate chips, and add a spoonful to the top off each praline. Transfer chocolate coated pralines to a cookie sheet and put in refrigerator to allow the chocolate to set. Once set remove from frig and store in an air tight container.

Hope you enjoy this super sweet treat!

Grilled Apple And Brie Cheese Sandwich

I have another great fall recipe to use all those beautiful fresh picked apples everyone seems to have this time of year. You might think an apple and cheese sandwich sounds a little strange, but the flavors work so well with each other that it makes you think "Why haven't I made this before?" This is a simple recipe, great with soup or salad.

This is what you'll need:

2 Slices 7 Grain Bread, buttered

1 Apple, cored and sliced thin

3-5 Slices of Brie

Dijon Mustard

How to make:

On medium heat, warm up a small skillet on stove. Take a slice of bread, buttered side out, and spread Dijon mustard to taste. Build sandwich with brie and then apples, and the other slice of bread. Place in warmed skillet, and brown on each side. Remove sandwich from heat when cheese is soft and melted. Slice in half and serve immediately.

Idea:

Add some fresh cranberry relish to sandwich to add additional flavor.

Sweet Potato, and Sweet Dumpling Squash

My mom recently introduced me to sweet potato and sweet dumpling squash; and I'm glad she did! They are absolutely delicious and make a nice side dish to any fall entree. They actually reminded me a little of a Yukon gold potato, but much better. These squash along with many other kinds are in abundance right now, and simple to make. Simply cut squash in half and remove seeds. Set oven to 350. Place squash on tinfoil face down. With a fork poke several holes into the skin of the squash. Place in oven for 35-45 minutes and cook until soft. Serve with butter and salt or a little brown sugar. Hope you enjoy these wonderful fall squash as much as I did! Enjoy!

Note:

**I bought my squash at a local farm. They may be sold at farmers markets and or other produce markets.

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Bars

These bars are a great spin on caramel apples that we all know and love this time of year. They are packed with flavor and super moist! A must make recipe for the fall!

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Shortening

1 1/2 Cups Packed Light Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

1/2 Cup Buttermilk

1 3/4 Cup Flour

1 t Baking Soda

1/2 t Salt

1 t Baking Powder

1 1/2 t Cinnamon

1 t Apple Pie Spice

2 1/2 Cups Quick Cooking Oatmeal

1 t Vanilla

1 1/2 Cups Chopped Dried Apple Rings

1 1/2 Bags Werther Caramels Chopped into pieces

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray and set aside. Using an electric mixer cream butter, shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and then buttermilk. In a small bowl sift flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and apple pie spice. Gradually add this mixture to bowl. Stir until combined. Fold in oatmeal, apples and caramel. Pour mixture into pan and bake 20-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cut into squares and serve! Enjoy!

These bars should be stored in an air tight container, and can be stored for two weeks.

Caramel Corn

Fall is in the air, and there are so many great recipes to make this time of year! One of my favorite is this caramel corn recipe. It is easy and great for fall parties, kids Halloween parties, and treat bags. I make this every October to kick off the fall!

Ingredients:

5 Quarts Popped Corn

2 Cups Light Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Corn Syrup

1 Cup Butter

1/4 t. Cream Of Tartar

1 t. Salt

1 t. Baking Soda

Pop 5 quarts of popcorn and place in a large foil or roasting pan coated with cooking spray.

In a medium sized saucepan combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, cream of tartar and salt. Bring mixture up to a rapid boil, stirring constantly. Using a candy thermometer, cook mixture until 260 degrees. Once temperature has been reached, remove from heat and add baking soda. Mixture will grow in size and become fluffy. Stir until baking soda is completely mixed in.

Pour caramel over popcorn and stir until all corn is completely covered. This may take some time, but just keep stirring and all kernels will get covered.

Place caramel corn in preheated oven set to 200 degrees. Cook for 1 hour, stirring every fifteen minutes. If after an hour, corn is still sticky cook a little longer until done.

When finished, take out and cool. You may have to stir it occasionally as it cools to avoid it from clumping. When cooled, place in air tight container. Enjoy!