trick or treat

Halloween is such a funny holiday, honestly, I don't even understand the purpose of celebrating it (maybe I shouldn't admit that). Don't get me wrong, I love the costume parties, jack-o-lanterns and wild yard art. It's just too bad I'm too old to trick or treat without getting disapproving looks from neighbors. So instead of pretending that I'm just a really tall and mature looking fifth-grader, I just made my own Halloween treats! Take that neighbors.

These are much better than any mini-sized, semi-smushed candies anyway. Tart, chewy, crunchy — the combination of flavors and textures is so tasty. So good in fact that I can't stop eating them. My dentist won't be too happy.

My favorite part about these is that they are so easy to make. You don't have to make your own caramel, well I suppose you could, but I'm sticking to this method. They'd make great little gifts for Halloween or anytime of the season and they make everyone feel like a kid again and who doesn't love that?

Simple Caramel Apples, makes 5-6 apples

• 6 popsicle sticks or caramel apple sticks (they had them at my grocery!)
• 5-6 granny smith apples (I used 5 with a bit of caramel leftover)
• 1 bag of caramel candies (unwrapped, duh)
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 cup pecans, chopped fine
• 1/2 bag of semi-sweet Ghirardelli chocolate chips, or any good chocolate

Wash your apples with Tbsp baking powder mixed with 2 Tbsp water. This will get rid of the waxy coating. If you skip this step, your caramel won't stick very well. Poke sticks through the tops of each apple — make sure you get them in there, you don't want your apples popping off! Meanwhile, chop pecans and place them in a shallow bowl. In a microwave-safe bowl, add the caramel and water and microwave for about 3 minutes, stirring after every minute. My microwave is pretty powerful and I only needed 2.5 minutes. Just watch it! Set it on a table, be careful, it's REALLY hot! Then dip the apples in the caramel and turn to coat. Let some of the excess drip off then quickly roll in the pecans before the caramel cools too much. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Finish all apples.

For the chocolate, heat over a double boiler until melted and use a spoon to drip it on the tops of the apples. Store in the refrigerator and eat! Soooo tasty and simple.
Happy Halloween!