Simple Yet Gourmet

I LOVE Caramel Apples! Do you?? I feel like they're the perfect balance of sweet and tart and they seem so gourmet.  There are so many varieties of caramel apples and once you learn the basics you can play around with different combos, which of course is part of the fun of making your own. Today I'm sharing how to make Apple Pie Caramel Apples that taste similar to an apple pie, but even more delicious! It's one of my all-time favorite combos and looks so pretty with the contrasting green (or red) apples.  Tart apples with chewy, decadent caramel surrounded by smooth and creamy white chocolate, sprinkled with Cinnamon and Sugar! So, so good.  

I love anything with apple and cinnamon in it so when I saw this smoothie I knew I had to try it.  It's like a healthy version of apple pie for breakfast (or lunch)!  I made a few small changes to the recipe such as adding chia seeds, but that is totally optional.  I just like the added nutrients and they really don't even taste.  Make it with or without them, but definitely make it.  Even without them the smoothie is nutritious, filling, and of course, tasty.

I saw these apples a little while ago on one of my favorite blogs and on a whim decided to make them that night.  Unfortunately, when I looked closely at the recipe I realized I didn't have a few of the ingredients.  Well, I had already told Brynlee that we were going to make them so there was no going back.  I improvised with what I had and they turned out great!  We used a variety of nuts and candies to dip them in (Halloween candy anyone?). It was so fun coming up with the different combinations.  Brynlee loved helping me make one for just her- a s'mores theme with milk chocolate, crushed graham crackers, marshmallows, and a drizzle of white chocolate.  The other apples were dipped in toasted pecans, M&M's, Snickers, Twix, and Crunch Bars.  While they were a little time consuming they really weren't hard.  Give them a try and you may just feel like a Gourmet Chef!

I pinned this recipe over a year ago with great intentions to try it and then completely forgot about it till this year.  I'm so glad I remembered!  This apple cake is very moist, dense, full of apples, and dripping with caramel.  It really wasn't that complicated to make- I just lined the pan with parchment to make sure the cake came out good.  Everything else was a piece of cake!  Pun intended :).  I thought this was a delicious take on a classic combo.  If you love caramel apples, you'll probably love this cake!

I made this oatmeal for an early morning meeting and it really hit the spot.  What a great way to start the day!  The warm oatmeal was perfect for a chilly morning, and the apples gave it extra flavor and texture.  It tastes like a healthy version of apple pie.  I like to put milk on mine, but you don't have to.  All the ladies loved it, and for a breakfast that is actually healthy and hearty, I have to say I'm impressed.  I'll be making this again for sure!

I love apple pie, so when I found this recipe I was excited.  It is easier than a full blown apple pie as well as quicker to make.  I sliced my apples really thin with my food processor and piled them high.  I added the crispy oatmeal topping and waited!  As this baked the whole house smelled like a homemade apple pie, I was in heaven. I was a little worried with how high I packed the apples, but they shrank while cooking and the pie looked lovely.  I served this warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but you could have it with whipped cream or just plain. (I forgot to take a picture so I used this picture from the original recipe from the taste of home website.)

The kids and I decided that we needed breakfast for dinner night!  Mike has been out of town and with that, we get to eat very simple.  Plus we always try the weird recipes while he is gone so we don't get a lot of complaining :)!  This new recipe I found today and is a keeper for sure.  The pancake is dense, but I love the grated apples and cinnamon along with the caramel syrup on top.

I'm ready for Fall!  Even though I know Fall will be followed by Winter, which will be really cold and last way too long, I can't help but wish Fall was here already.  I'm ready for crisp, cool air, colorful leaves, pumpkins, and apple cider.  I can't do anything about the weather or the leaves, but I decided it was time to break out a Fall recipe.  Packed into the one little muffin is a bounty of Fall goodness- pumpkin, apples, spices, and pecans!  It smells amazing while baking and is hearty and delicious!  So if you're ready for Fall like me try these out!  If not, keep these in mind for when Fall finally rolls around...but you might be sorry you waited so long to try them!

I am always on the hunt for good breakfast recipes I can do during the week.  I try really hard to make healthy breakfast foods to start the kids off with.  I came across this yesterday and made it for the kids this morning.  I was in love with it!

I am warning you, this is a very dangerous dessert! I found this recipe on The Pioneer Woman and thought it looked interesting. Between the flaky crust, warm apple and caramel sauce this dessert is sinful. Mike and the kids get really excited when they find out this is one the menu. We love to serve it warm with vanilla ice cream on the side. I promise you, this will become a favorite of yours once you try it!

With fall in the air, I love to make anything with apples. I made these fun little tartlets for a Halloween activity we had. These are fun to make, cute and best of all very tasty! When I makes these for my family we like to serve them hot out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream. This time I added mini chocolate chips to the top when I took them out of the oven for a twist!

This cobbler ( which is really more of a crisp in my opinion ) is a delicious twist on an old favorite. My mother-in-law passed this recipe to me along with a glowing recommendation. She is an excellent cook, so when she says something is good, I listen! I'm glad I did. This cobbler is so good! Granny Smith apples are tossed with sugar and spices, drizzled with caramel, then covered with a crispy oatmeal-brown sugar topping. It smells amazing in the oven and tastes even better. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water. Do yourself a favor and go make some! *note: this was originally a dutch oven recipe so I've scaled it down.

Like many of you that know me, I hate to make the same thing twice! So I had a preschool picnic to go to and was asked to bring a dessert. I have had this recipe for a while but was waiting until the fall to give it a try. I figured the end of August was close enough so I made them this past weekend. They were really great. Tasted just like fresh apple pie, but easy to eat bars. I will make these again in the fall, but would eat them warm with ice cream!! Enjoy.