Crocktober 4, 2020
Hi Slow Cookerers!
My eldest daughter turns 19 today.
This really doesn't make any sense to me because I haven't aged a day since I turned 29...
;-)
I was looking back through some of my old writing and found that I wrote this on her 7th birthday:
"I know you are told by everyone (and your mother) that kids grow up quickly and before you know it the early years will be a blur and a distant memory, but when you are in the trenches of the first few months/years of sleep deprivation and are functioning in survival mode----it just doesn't seem that way.
Now it does.
I see this kid, this real life KID, with big teeth, a big heart, and big ideas and I'm shocked. How did this happen?
Wasn't it just yesterday that I was walking the shag-green carpet halls of our apartment night after night after night jostling her to Nick at Nite theme songs?
Wasn't it just yesterday that I spent way-too-many hours with a baby that just would. not. sleep. precariously balanced on my lap while I consulted Dr. Google during marathon nursing sessions?
Hug your babies. And make them caramel apples. Don't pay attention to the caramel dripped on the carpet. It will come out with a baby wipe---or scissors."
The Ingredients.
each bag makes 4 large apples
1 bag (16-ounce) soft caramels
2 tablespoons of water (and a bit more if necessary)
popsicle sticks
chopped nuts
sprinkles
baby chocolate chips
shredded coconut
parchment paper or nonstick foil
Usually when you make caramel "from scratch" you need to use a candy thermometer and stand over the stove to make sure it doesn't scorch.
That isn't something I want my kids to do, so I simply take soft caramel candies (which you can usually find pretty easily this time of year because of Halloween), or I use the caramel made specifically for apples that is found in the produce section of your grocery store.
The Directions.
Use a small slow cooker -- a 1 or 2 quart, or put an oven-safe bowl into a large slow cooker.
Unwrap all the candies and turn the slow cooker to high. Add 2 tablespoons of water.
Cover your slow cooker to keep the heat and moisture inside.
Cook on high for 1 to 2 hours, checking every 30 minutes or so.
The caramel is ready to be dipped into with your apples when it is super shiny and stirs easily with a spoon.
You might need to drizzle in a bit more water if it seems like it's too thick.
Shove the popsicle sticks into the apples and dip, one at a time, into the caramel and swirl it around to get even coverage.
Roll in your favorite toppings.
Place the cooling apple onto a sheet of parchment paper or nonstick foil and let sit until it's completely cool to the touch and the caramel has hardened again.
Keep in the refrigerator until serving time.
The Verdict.
This is a fantastic after school or playdate activity. You will get stickyness all over the kitchen, but it will be okay.
They are only little and "all yours" for a short amount of time. :-)
Seriously. Take a look at these cute little chubby fingers....
ack!! they grow tooooooo fast!!
lots and lots and lots of love.
xxo steph
