 |
Today’s post is from my first guest post writer, Danielle Rouse. I’d been admiring her clean recipes and beautiful photos for awhile and just thought you all would love to see some of her creations. What a great recipe to start off with!
My youngest was just begging me to make these Caramel Apples for him when he saw the photo! (My oldest isn’t keen on dipping things (remember my post on Healthy Meals Your Kids Will Love?) but I’m sure I can put the caramel on something that he’ll gobble up. I know–this is a “pre-made dipped thing” but that’s just the way that Asperger’s Syndrome works sometimes. If you have a child with autism, you’ll most likely understand what I mean.)
Anyway, these delectable apples would make a great addition to any Easter celebration. And you can for sure check out my Healthy Easter Treats Galore if you are lacking at all in that department 
.
Now…on with the post!
I was very excited when Adrienne asked if I would like to write a guest post here on Whole New Mom. I am a regular reader and admirer of Adrienne; her sense of family and frugal mindedness ring true with what I wish for my own family. When I was thinking about what I would share with all of her wonderful readers, I thought these delicious gourmet apples would be the perfect treat. I first made these a few weeks ago to take to a child’s birthday party. They were a big hit with my kids and I think they will be perfect as a healthy Easter treat.
We seem to eat a lot of apples, pears and citrus fruit this time of year. By this time, my frozen seasonal fruits and berries are all but used up, and the cost of imported, out of season fruit is just too high. Organic apples and pears at $4.99/3lbs, stretch a lot further for my family of 5 compared to the $5.99 for ½ pint of raspberries. Although dipped apples seem to be associated with the fall and Halloween, having them around Easter time makes economical sense to me (since I live in Canada and our growing season is still a long ways off).
Caramel and chocolate dipped apples are going to be a hit with kids at any occasion. My kids love any food on a stick, but a sweet crisp apple dipped in homemade dairy free caramel and chocolate was especially exciting to them and me! I worked with maple syrup to make Candy Pepitas a few weeks ago. This success gave me the encouragement to try and create a caramel sauce mixing maple syrup with sunflower seed butter. I used store-bought sunflower seed butter, but if you have a Vitamix, Adrienne has a recipe for Homemade Nut and Seed Butter that looks fantastic.
I was thrilled with the results of this sweet, sticky, creamy sauce, and I hope you will be too. (My pears were too ripe for the sticks to stay in, so I gave up on them.)
The kids and I decided we needed to dress the apples up a bit for Easter, like we did with these Reindeer Krispie Pops. They really are a fun treat to make together, because they are messy, and of course that’s what draws kids in…well at least mine! So have a bath ready and let them dig right in .
Gourmet “Caramel” Chocolate Apples
Makes 6
CARAMEL SAUCE
Ingredients
2/3 cup sunflower seed butter (See Homemade Seed and Nut Butters)
1 cup pure maple syrup (You can also try other sweeteners of course. See Substituting Sweeteners for Cooking and Baking.)*
Pinch of sea salt (From Adrienne: I love Real Salt.)
Method
1. In a medium pot combine all ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
3. Reduce heat to medium and boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly and watching carefully to avoid burning.
4. Remove from heat (pour into a bowl for dipping if desired).
5. Allow the sauce to cool slightly. There is a knack for getting the sauce to the right consistency; if it is too hot and thin, it will run right off the apples, if it is to cool and thick it wont have a nice smooth appearance. I let it cool for about 2 minutes (you can easily warm it back up, or add a splash of water to get the sauce to the right thickness).
6. Line a cutting board or baking sheet with wax or parchment paper.
7. Take 6 apples (we used organic Gala) and push a stick through the top stem.
8. Dip them into the caramel and place them on the non stick surface. Place them in the fridge to set while you make the chocolate coating.
CHOCOLATE COATING
Ingredients
1-1/4 cups of chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life mini. You could also try Homemade Chocolate / Carob Chips but you might want to add extra sweetener.)
1 Tbsp coconut oil (Tropical Traditions‘ expeller pressed does not have a coconutty flavor.)
Method
1. In a double boiler, over low heat, combine chocolate chips and oil and melt to a smooth and shiny consistency.
2. Remove the caramel apples from the fridge and dip them into the chocolate.
3. Place them back into the fridge to set briefly while you make the *peanut topping*.
“PEANUT TOPPING”
(Note from Adrienne: I’m thinking about those gourmet apples in the store. One could really get creative with these and top with all kinds of things. Other kinds of chocolate or other “sprinkly” type toppings. Yum. Fun.)
Ingredients
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (or any acceptable nut or seed.)
1/4 cup coconut sugar (Substituting other sweeteners should work just fine here.)
1 tsp coconut oil (You can see other Tropical Traditions products here.) 2 tsp coconut flour
Method
1. Roughly chop the sunflower seeds and place them on a skillet.
2. Add the coconut sugar and oil and saute over medium heat for a few minutes until the sugar gets a bit melty and caramelized.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut flour.
4. Remove the apples from the fridge. Cupping your hands, press the warm *peanut* topping around the bottom and side of your chocolate apples.
5. Store wrapped in a plastic treat bag, wax or parchment paper. Decorate with pipe cleaner ears, googley eyes, pom-pom nose and tail for holiday treats.
Interested in other healthified versions of candies and such? How about:
- Homemade “Almond Joy” Bars
- Almost “Reese’s” Candy
- Homemade Chocolate / Carob Chips
- Homemade Marshmallow – Sugar Free Option
- Silky Smooth Bean Fudge
What else could you top your apples with?
Danielle Rouse is the creative energy behind the allergy friendly recipe Blog, Fresh4Five. This mother of three has a passion for nutrition and cooking with fresh and wholesome ingredients. Danielle has become an expert at developing recipes to meet the complex dietary needs of her family. Fresh4Five hosts an array of family-friendly recipes that are free of Gluten, Dairy, Soy, and Nuts. Danielle also offers a growing collection of recipes, specifically tailored for celebrating Allergy Free, Children’s Birthday Parties.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement here.
Shared at I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, Craft-O-Maniac, C.R.A.F.T., Skip to My Lou, The Prairie Homestead, The Better Mom, and The DIY HSHP.
Thank You for the compliments Adrienne
Of course! You deserve them!
These look SO good! I love that you made them healthier. You just feel good when you eat well.
Rachelle recently posted..Golden Macaroni and Cheese
This is such a sweet idea! Literally!
Mariana recently posted..DIY: Dessert Stand – Cake Stand – Candle Stand – Jewelry Stand – Whatever Stand …
Thank you Ladies
I do have less *mommy guilt* with treats like this 
Danielle recently posted..*Caramel* Chocolate Easter Eggs | Dairy and Nut Free
Yum yum and too cute.
What a great recipe!! I’ll be making these this weekend. I just made a bunch of homemade sunflower seed butter, so this is PERFECT!!!!
Thanks for a great post. Love!
Hugs,
–Amber
Amber recently posted..Simple Cabbage Sauté (SCD Friendly)
I have to make them too! Can’t wait. I think Danielle has a really need couple of sunflower butter recipes so I’m going to check them out too.
Take care. Adrienne
Would peanut butter work in place of sunflower seed butter?
Absolutely! I think it would taste wonderful. Any nut or seed butter should work just fine. Enjoy!
Yes any nut butter would work. They are all pretty much the same consistency, which is nice! We have 2 nut sensitive people in my house
Danielle recently posted..Paleo Meyer Lemon Dreamcake
These look great! I really like that they’re healthy, but still a sweet treat.
Melissa recently posted..Sausage, Kale and Bean Soup
Thank you
that is the best kind of treat isn’t it?
Danielle recently posted..Vegan Sun-Butter Freezer Fudge
These would be perfect favors for my daughter’s birthday party. Thanks!
Kristin, I also made them for a birthday party, and they were a huge hit
I hope they are for you too!
Danielle recently posted..Vanilla & Orange Granola | Caution Contains Nuts
This post has inspired me : ) I think I’ll be getting creative with some Easter candy.
I just found you through the time warp wife. I’d love it if you’d stop by and link an encouraging post to my blog. http://www.lessonsfromivy.com/2012/04/being-content-in-mothering.html
KM Logan recently posted..Being Content In Mothering
I hope it turns out
I will check out your blog also
Danielle recently posted..Simple Chocolate Pudding | Vegan
This looks AMAZING!!! We would love for you to link this up at our link party on Saturday at SixSistersstuff.com! Hope to see you there!
Thank you
I will be there Saturday!
Danielle recently posted..Winter Vegetable Chicken Pot Pie
It’s lovely to ‘meet’ you Danielle, and this is a wonderful guest post with some fantastic recipe links. Plus, it is so good to see a healthier Caramel Apple Recipe too. Your Caramel Apples look like the ones I have seen in gourmet shops, and they sound so good!
Adrienne, thank you for sharing this post with us, and for introducing me to Danielle’s blog.
Thank you April for all the kind words
Danielle recently posted..Vanilla & Orange Granola | Caution Contains Nuts
yummy!! i would LOVE for you to link this post or any other posts you want to my weekend link party http://lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/2012/04/spread-love-link-party-6.html it opens at midnight tonight, hope to see you there!
{love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com
Thank you for the invitation Lauryn! I will check it out
Danielle recently posted..Coconut Lime Candied Pepitas
Beautiful! I love the healthier versions… can’t wait to try them!
Laura recently posted..Recovery runs… yay or nay?
Always nice when we can give them something for a healthy treat
thank you!
Danielle recently posted..Winter Vegetable Chicken Pot Pie
Omg, how cute are your Easter apples. This looks delicious.
Lilli Toby recently posted..Clean eating
Thank you Lilli!
Danielle recently posted..Vanilla & Orange Granola | Caution Contains Nuts
I would just love this awesome treat! Hope you are having a wonderful Spring day. Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted..Full Plate Thursday 4-12-12
Thank you for hosting
Danielle recently posted..Irish *Potato* Bread | Grain Free & Vegan
YUM! We’re on a pretty restricted diet so this caught my attention — thanks very much!
I hope they work out of you! It can be so hard with many restrictions. We also have soo many, and they differ with each family member, can be complicated to keep it all straight.
Danielle recently posted..Vanilla & Orange Granola | Caution Contains Nuts
Hop over today and grab my starfish featured button for your blog…yes…you have been featured at Nifty Thrifty Tuesday. Thanks for coming to my party with these yumy goodies.
Blessings,
Linda
Yum! Those look delicious!
Onna recently posted..Blog Party!
Thank you Onna
Danielle recently posted..Vanilla & Orange Granola | Caution Contains Nuts
This is to stinking cute. What a great job. I would love it if you showed it off at my new linky party @ Kampenlane.com.
I can’t wait to see what else you create.
~Taylor
Thank you so much! We had a great time making them
Danielle recently posted..Simple Chocolate Pudding | Vegan
Oh may, they look scrumptious! Come link them up with us as I know our readers would really enjoy them. Here is the link party: http://www.finecraftguild.com/party/
Hope to see you soon!
Rose :: Fine Craft Guild .com recently posted..Turquoise Owl Earrings
Thank you Rose
Danielle recently posted..Chopped Kale Salad with Raspberry Mandarin Dressing
Those look wonderful……..….I’d like to invite you to share them @CountryMommaCooks Saturday Link and Greet Party(now-Sunday)…..have a great weekend:)