Caramel Apple Cider

What’s better than a cup of warm apple cider? Caramel Apple Cider, of course! Mmmmm.

Caramel Apple Cider

I know. Another Caramel Apple recipe coming your way today. If you’re not a big fan of one of my favorite combos (isn’t that obvious?), I promise you there’s much more variety ahead. Shortly after finishing Wednesday’s recipe for Perfect Caramel Apples, this happened. I was inspired, wanted a warm drink, and had everything on hand to make a wonderful Fall drink – Caramel Apple Cider. Just like the one you can order at Starbucks. Have you ever tried one of those? Pretty much the bestest thing in the whole wide world. At least this time of year.

Caramel Apple Cider

This homemade version totally holds up to the original. Once you find out how quick, easy and affordable it is to make your own, you’ll ask yourself why you haven’t tried making it earlier. That’s precisely how I felt. I am so excited to be sharing this recipe with all of you today, especially since autumn has just started. Which means there’s plenty of time to enjoy this drink all season long. Yay! Continue reading

Perfect Caramel Apples

Looking for the perfect Caramel Apple recipe? You’ve come to the right place. The ultimate dipping caramel ready in 15 minutes or less. This iconic sweet treat is a must this season!

Perfect Caramel Apples

Caramel Apples at last. Getting to the point of holding a perfect caramel apple in my hand was quite the ordeal. Batch number 1 involved burned caramel (always use a thermometer) and standing on my chair whilst waving a towel at my smoke detector. Our kitties were less than amused and neither was I.

The second batch decided to turn into a grainy mess and started to slip right off of my apples. Frustration levels were high. Very high.

Perfect Caramel Apples

I never got around to making caramel apples last year and as I was at the brink of giving up, I took another glance at my list of things to make. I couldn’t bear to see caramel apples still on said list waiting to be made the following year. It simply had to happen NOW.

I finally decided to ditch the new, fast, and so-called “easy” caramel recipes I had been playing with and went the traditional route. And guess what? Batch number 3 was what I call perfection. And even though it might seem a bit more involved than other recipes out there, it actually was quite simple, easy, and fairly quick. Who would have thought?

Gorgeous Caramel Apples were so worth 3 attempts! Continue reading

Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding

One of Fall’s favorite desserts – Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding. Get your spoons ready to dig in!

Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding

You guys, bread pudding is having a moment. At least in my life. There’s a local restaurant in our town that makes an incredible basic version. But there are only so many times one can visit the same restaurant several nights in a row and only order dessert before people start noticing and the credit card starts to smoke. So I finally decided that enough was enough.

It was time for me to stop being lazy, put my bread pudding skills to the test and start experimenting with yet another version. Plus, it gives me the perfect excuse to consume copious amounts of said pudding in order to get it just right for the blog.

Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding

And since this is the season of all things pumpkin, I couldn’t help but put a pumpkin spice spin on my current favorite dessert. Let me tell you one thing – I don’t think I’ll be going back to that restaurant any time soon. This made-from-scratch Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding is calling my name. Plus, I can whip it up for a fraction of the cost and enjoy a healthy helping in my comfy clothes watching one of our binge-worthy shows. It’s da best! Continue reading

Salted Caramel Apple Stuffed Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Scrumptious Chocolate Muffins chock-full of Caramel and tart Apples. Finished with a delectable Chocolate Crumb Topping. Yassss!

Salted Caramel Apple Stuffed Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Welcome back, everyone. Are you ready for the first fall weekend of the year? Do you have anything fun planned?

Adam and I were planning on hitting the trails at a State Park in northern Minnesota this weekend to take in the fall foliage, but it looks like we’ll be waiting another week or so. Because the weather through all of September has been absolutely beautiful here. Warm, sunny and picture-perfect, really. One wouldn’t even know fall has officially arrived by walking outside. I can’t remember leaving the house in a t-shirt and shorts this late in September since like forever. While we’re anxiously awaiting the fall colors to arrive, I am more than happy to spend yet another weekend soaking in the sun and pretending that summer is never going to end.

Salted Caramel Apple Stuffed Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Yes, I adore all things summer, but that doesn’t mean that I am not craving the best fall has to offer. Pumpkin spice lattes (Dunkin Donuts’ are the bomb), fall-scented candles, layering clothes and wearing boots, fresh apples and pumpkins… I could go on and on. Oh, and don’t forget about the food. Comforting, hearty, warm and oh so satisfying.

To be honest, I’ve been dreaming of the amazing food creations for months now. The muffins you see here were swirling around my head for so long – I’m BEYOND pumped to finally get to share them with you today! Continue reading

Cream Cheese Drizzled Pumpkin & Cookie Butter Bars

Pumpkin, Cookie Butter, and warm Spices. With a yummy Cream Cheese Drizzle. Fall in your mouth – right here.

Cream Cheese Drizzled Pumpkin and Cookie Butter Bars

All I wanted were thick, moist, and drool-inducing bars that screamed fall to me. Pumpkin as one of the main ingredients was a must – no explanation needed. As I looked through the pantry my hand automatically reached out and grabbed the cookie butter jar. Once I opened the lid and smelled the wonderfulness that is cookie butter, I knew the flavors would work extremely well with pumpkin. I mean, cookie butter is basically made out of cookies and you can never ever go wrong with adding cookies to a dessert recipe. It’s a guaranteed winner!

Cream Cheese Drizzled Pumpkin and Cookie Butter Bars

The addition of semisweet chocolate chips, a yummy cream cheese drizzle, and extra cookie crumbs were always a given. There’s no such thing as a good pumpkin bar without cream cheese in one way or another. At least in my recipe book, ha.

If you’re as desperate as I am for the ultimate fall treat, this is the one for you. Continue reading