Apple Cider Caramels and Apple Teeth

These apple cider caramels are soooo good.  They are like homemade caramels, but you have that hint of cinnamon apple in the background.  It’s like a caramel apple in reverse.  Very tasty!  These would make excellent Fall candy party favors, or gifts, or just have around the house.

The apple teeth idea I saw in the Food Network magazine.  I think they did a better job in the magazine – they looked more like teeth.   These were still cute though.  Something healthy at a Halloween party.

Apple Cider Caramels
yield 64 caramels

2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream or whipping cream
1 cup light corn syrup
2 cups sugar
6 Tb. butter, unsalted or salted
1/2 cup boiled cider (recipe below)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. apple pie spice (or substitute: 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ground ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg or allspice)

1.  Line a 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
2.  In a pot, mix the cream, corn syrup, sugar, butter and boiled cider.  I have read that nonstick is not a good idea as the hot temperatures could cause bad things to happen.  Also, this just barely fit in my 3.5 qt. pot – so beware.
3.  Boil this mixture on high heat.  Stir once in a while.  Now that you are on boiling, reduce heat to medium-high and clip on the candy thermometer.  Cook to 248 degrees!  Might take a while.  And don’t do this around small children.  Someone or something is bound to get hurt.
4.  Remove from heat and add salt and spice.
5.  Pour into pan and let it sit out on the counter for 12-18 hours.
6.  Do not put it in the fridge.  To cut into squares, take a large knife and run it under hot water.  Carefully dry it on a towel and use the slightly heated knife to cut the caramels.  You may have to heat the knife a few times.
7.  Wrap caramels in parchment paper like 6″x6″.  Keep in a sealed container up to one month.

Recipe from King Arthur Flour

Boiled Cider
You can purchase this stuff also at King Arthur Flour.  I want to start using it in my apple pies and apple muffins.

8 cups apple cider

1.  In large pot, bring cider to a boil.  Stir once in a while.
2.  Reduce to medium to medium – high heat and continue to boil/strong simmer until the mixture reduces to 1 and 1/2 cups.  This took me about 2 hours.

To Make Apple Teeth:  (Don’t cut as pictured!!!  I realized later I messed up and cut the inside of the apple instead I should have cut a V shape for the mouth on the OUTSIDE of the apple which makes it look like lips!)

1.  Cut and core a red apple into quarters.  **UPDATE**Cut out a V in the center of the red side.  Fill with peanut butter.

2  Take sliced almonds and arrange to look like teeth.

Idea/Recipe from Food Network Magazine