Spooky Apple Dip Recipe

Spooky Apple Dip Recipe

Hello friends! Halloween is a knocking. It is the perfect time to whip up this Spooky Apple Dip recipe, featuring cream cheese, mini chocolate chips, Health Bar Bits, homemade caramel sauce**, and the secret ingredient Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread! Of course, the little candy eyes make this dish horrifyingly adorable.   

I don't know whether it is the inner child in me or the fact we have children (and their excitement over the years has excited us), but I have always been a sucker for party themes, themed food, theme decorations, etc., and Halloween is no exception. Our children always loved all the festive Halloween foods we would serve at our pre-Halloween celebration with family and friends.  

So, if you are looking for a quick and easy spooktacular Halloween treat and love caramel apples, this is the perfect dip to share at your next Halloween gathering. Serve it with sliced apples or even graham crackers, and you are good to go.

**Note: You could easily substitute store-bought caramel sauce if you're in a pinch, but homemade is easy and much better.

Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!

Thanks for stopping by. Comment below if you have tried this delicious recipe. Come back again for more family-tested recipes, entertaining ideas, and cooking tips using all our favorite Cherchies® gourmet products.

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Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 jar Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread

• 1 cup Homemade Caramel Sauce (you could use store bought but homemade is so much better!)

• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

• 1 cup Heath Bar Toffee bits (or your favorite toffee, crushed into small pieces)

• Candy “eyes” (We used Wilton candy eyes, we found at our local Michael’s, but they are available online as well.)

• Apple slices for dipping

Caramel Sauce Ingredients- Make this before assembling the spooky dip to allow the caramel to cool. For the full directions with pictures, please visit “How To Make Homemade Caramel Sauce” on our blog.

• 1 cup of brown sugar

• 6 Tablespoons (Tbsp.) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half, room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) sea salt (if want salted caramel, add up to 1 tsp. salt- Kosher salt is fine too)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (you could substitute your favorite liquor for an extra special adult treat…we won’t tell, but make sure to keep away from the kiddos)

Preparation for Caramel Sauce

The caramelization process happens quickly, so make sure all your ingredients are measured and in place before you begin. Start with a medium-sized stainless steel sauce pan (ceramic would work just fine too). Add the butter pieces to the pan, turn the heat on low, and gently stir the butter with a wooden spoon (you can use a whisk too) until it melts.

Once the butter has melted, add the sugar and continue to stir until the sugar has melted. (Sugar will be HOT! Trust me, and learn from my mistakes, do not be tempted to taste the caramel at any time, until it has cooled! Many sites I researched suggest having a bowl of cold water on hand in case of flying molten sugar. Yikes! Do not be afraid, but be safe.) As you are stirring, scrape the sugar that forms on the side with the spoon or a rubber spatula and incorporate into the mix.

Continue stirring constantly on low until all the sugar has dissolved and you have achieved a rich caramel color and a nutty aroma. Some of the butter may remain on the top. This is okay. It will incorporate once the half and half or cream is added. As the caramel comes to a rolling boil on low, continue rapidly stirring. Add salt and vanilla (or liquor) at this time. If you want salted caramel, then add an additional 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of salt.

The last part is the cream or half and half. Add the cream slowly and stir stir stir! Again, be careful, this is where the caramel will get angry with you, as it will sputter and possibly throw molten sugar your way. You must prevail. I’m teasing… it really is very easy! Simply continue stirring rapidly until all the ingredients are incorporated. Remove the caramel from the heat and allow to cool. Turn off the stove. The caramel will thicken as it cools.

Preparation for Spooky Apple Dip

Combine the softened cream cheese and the apple butter spread in a medium bowl with a hand-held mixer and mix on medium-low speed until combined. With a spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture into a pie plate or shallow dish.

Once the caramel sauce has cooled and thickened, evenly pour it over the cream cheese mixture. Next, sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the caramel, followed by the toffee bits.

Carefully place the candy eyes on top and serve with apples for a spooktackular Halloween presentation.

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Recipe

Cook Time:  30-40 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

How have you been doing these past few months? Have you learned a new hobby or perfected a craft? Has your family been baking up a storm? Our family has always loved to cook together, especially baking. During these past few months with our young adults safely at home and nowhere to go, our children have been baking A LOT from sourdough bread and endless cookies to their favorite breakfast treat, Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake. 

For those of you with children, how many times during this pandemic did you hear, "I'm bored" or "There's nothing to eat"? When that happened in our home, it was the perfect time for me to interject, "You could make something yummy." That usually seemed to do the trick instead of the usual eye roll. I loved baking with our children when they were younger, but watching them now as young adults tackle recipes on their own is priceless (AND MESSY!). 

Among the many culinary treats our children have baked in the recent months, this delicious Cinnamon Streusel Coffeecake Recipe, laced with Cherchies® sweet apple butter and drizzled with a tangy lemon glaze is one of their favorite creations. If you are looking for the perfect boredom buster and have exhausted family movie or game night, grab a whisk, a couple of bowls, a few simple ingredients, and bake something amazing with your family.  

From our family to yours, we hope you enjoy this easy, tasty coffee cake recipe as much as we do!  

Comment below if you have made this recipe. We love hearing from our friends!

As always, thank you for visiting! Come back again!

Stay safe!

Coffee Cake Ingredients 

• 1 box yellow cake mix with pudding (We used Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix)- *Note, if you do not have cake mix in your pantry, have no fear, there are many resources online for homemade cake mix. Here are a couple, in particular, I like from I am Baker and Kitchen Nostalgia.

• 2/3 cup Cherchies® Apple Butter Spread

• 1 cup buttermilk (*Substitute 1 cup milk plus 1 Tablespoon white vinegar, stir, and let sit for a minute)

• 4 eggs, room temperature

  Streusel Mix Ingredients

• 1-2 Tablespoons (Tbsp) ground cinnamon

•  2/3 cup brown sugar

  
  Icing Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  

 Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. (Occasionally, we will use this recipe in muffin tins to create muffins. We used jumbo muffin tins from Wilton to make them extra special. See *Note).

In a small bowl, mix the streusel ingredients with a fork. (You will be using half of the streusel mix for the layering effect mentioned shortly and the other half on top before baking).

Mix the coffee cake ingredients in a medium bowl with a hand mixer and beat for two minutes.

So here is the fun part. The goal is to layer half of the batter, followed by a little streusel mix, then add the remaining batter. Pour half of the batter into the baking dish and use a spatula or spoon to smooth the batter. Sprinkle half of the streusel mix evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining batter over.

After carefully layering the batter, take a butter knife and gently run the knife through the batter to make swirls. You will only need a couple of swirls. Finish by sprinkling the remaining streusel mix over the batter. Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Depending on your oven (see *Note above), begin checking for doneness at 30 minutes.

While the coffee cake is baking, mix the icing ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. When the coffee cake is finished, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. The coffee cake can be slightly warm but not hot, or it will melt the icing. Drizzle the icing over the coffee cake, and enjoy!

Happy Baking!

Comment below and let us know if you made this tasty recipe.

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Herbed Antipasto Skewers Recipe

Herbed Antipasto Skewers Recipe

Today is World Tapas Day, and while entertaining for friends and family may not be back to normal, that does not mean you cannot enjoy tapas with your loved ones. These easy herbed antipasto skewers are the perfect balance of flavor and the perfect snack or appetizer for celebrating World Tapas Day at home! They take minutes to prepare, require no cooking, and can be made in advance.   

Not familiar with tapas? A tapa (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtapa]) is an appetizer or snack in Spanish cuisine, and it translates to a small portion of any Spanish food. Often served up before a meal, tapas can include many tasty things from olives and cheese to hams and seafood, cold or hot (https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-tapas-day/-).

Similar to the traditional Spanish tapas ingredients, the classic Italian version (antipasto) is a combination of olives, cheese, artichokes, marinated mushrooms or vegetables, and cured meats, and is the first course of an Italian meal. I chose kalamata and Spanish olives, marinated mozzarella balls, artisan salami, cherry tomatoes, and artichokes. However, any combination of meats and cheeses, cherry peppers, or pepperoncini would also be great. The flavorful vinaigrette, infused with Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz is the pièce de résistance of this appetizer.  

So whether you are celebrating World Tapas Day or are looking for a tasty appetizer or snack with little fuss, consider these herbed antipasto skewers. You will not be disappointed.

Comment below and let us know if you made them.

Thank you for visiting, and please come back again.

Ingredients (Perfect for whatever ingredients you have on hand)

• Olives- your choice. I usually use a mixture of Kalamata and Spanish Olives

• Marinated Mozzarella cheese balls (1 inch balls)

• Cherry Tomatoes

• Canned artichoke hearts, drained

• Hard salami, cut into 1 inch chunks

• Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz

• Oilve Oil

• White Balsamic Vinegar

• Appetizer skewers

Preparation

The beauty of these skewers is they can be prepared in advance. Prepare the ingredients as directed above. For easy assembly, make sure all the ingredients are in place (mise en place). For these skewers, I started with a mozzarella ball, then an olive, cherry tomato, mozzarella ball, and finally the salami as the anchor.

Once the skewers are assembled, line them up on a shallow baking sheet. Drizzle first with the olive oil, then the balsamic vinegar, and then sprinkle the skewers with Cherchies® Basil Pizzazz.

Place in refrigerator for a couple of hours to overnight before you plan to use them. I like to serve them in mini appetizer cups for presentation and ease of cleanup. Or, you could arrange them on a pretty platter. Easy, peasy appetizers, sans the fuss.

Enjoy!

Champagne Bacon Deviled Eggs Recipe

Champagne Bacon Deviled Eggs Recipe

Happy National Egg Day! Yes, you heard me right, and as cliche as it may sound, “How do you like your eggs?” you have my permission to use any “eggcellent” cliches you want. Today is also the perfect day to “break out of your shell” (sorry) and create a new version of your favorite deviled eggs. Introducing Champagne Deviled Eggs With Bacon. I love trying new recipes and challenging my family’s palate with variations of their favorite dishes; however, I have never deviated from their favorite deviled egg recipe until today.

This version uses our award-winning Champagne Mustard, mayonnaise, chives, spices, and bacon and is a definite keeper for your recipe cache. 

So, grab some Champagne Mustard, make these delicious deviled eggs, and celebrate National Egg Day whenever you have a craving for deviled eggs.

Comment below and let us know if you made this recipe. Thank you for visiting, and please come back again for more tasty recipes.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs at room temperature

• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.) Cherchies® Champagne Mustard or Cherchies® Hot Banana Pepper Mustard

• 1 Tablespoon (Tbsp.)

• Dijon mustard

• 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise

• 1/2 tsp. pepper

• 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives, reserving 1 Tbsp. for garnish (optional)

• 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped, reserving 1 slice to crumble as a garnish (optional)

Preparation:

Hard boil the eggs. (Look at our blog cooking tips- “Perfect Boiled Eggs”). Cool and shell the eggs.

Cut in half, remove the yolks and place them in a bowl with remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth. Spoon or pipe into egg whites.

Garnish with 1 slice of crumbled bacon and 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives.

Serve and enjoy!