I loved the movie Bedknobs & Broomsticks when I was little. I remember watching it on VHS (some of you youngins might not remember such a device) as a wee little girl. Some would say it’s a Mary Poppins rip-off, and I can understand that, but I think it was pretty cute in its own right. Movies & books & stories about witches always intrigued & inspired me; I always had a thing for witches, ever since the first time I went to Salem, Massachusetts as a child. And I’m super crazy insanely excited about the new show on ABC called Once Upon A Time that’s premiering this weekend… supernatural events, modern-day fairy tales & evil queens? I’m totally there! I’m so inspired by all that kinda stuff.
I was also clearly beyond inspired by the Martha Stewart Halloween magazine this year, as evidenced by my post at the beginning of October, and this is another something I took directly from it. Caramel apples with witches & “broomsticks”! They made me think of both that movie & also the Wicked Witch of the West. How cool are they?!
First Martha’s…
…
And then mine.
…
I know. Crazy easy & very adorable. But more importantly- easy. It’s just a little more than a few days before Halloween and I know that there are still some people thinking about last minute ideas. Here’s one.
The other day, I told you about my sort of failed but happy accident caramel apple syrup that I messed up making (but ended up with something awesome anyway). That was a more complex recipe, though, by far. This time I promise- there is no way you could EVER mess this up. First of all, caramel apples are so easy a trained monkey could make them. Second, by just adding a little witch cut out from cardstock & a skewer, you make them into a snack worthy of being a centerpiece, instead of just a sticky, boring little old-fashioned treat. Perfect for kids at a Halloween party.
…
WICKED CANDY APPLES
Ingredients:
- 6 small apples, stems removed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup dark corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions:
- Thoroughly wash & rinse all apples. Dry and insert sturdy wooden craft stick or skewer in each. Prepare an ice water bath in a fairly large bowl, and line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment.
- Boil cream, sugar, corn syrup, and butter to a boil in a medium saucepan. Clip candy thermometer to the side of pan and continue to cook until mixture reaches 245 degrees, about 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately place pan in ice water bath to stop the cooking.
- Dip the bottom of each apple in the caramel rotating it and using a spoon to coat apple halfway to three-quarters of the way up the sides. Transfer to baking sheet, and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes (or overnight) before serving.
- Print witches out on cardstock. Cut-out, and using a small hole punch, punch holes on either sides of hands. Slide sticks in and poke them into the top of apples, replacing skewers.
…
The apples I used were little ones called Ginger Gold. I thought they were the perfect size, and I got a ½ peck of them for about 5 bucks. I only made 6 of them into caramel apples, the rest were baked & eaten up in other ways. When pecks or ½ pecks are on sale, if you can’t go & pick your own, take advantage of it. Apples are crazy versatile & you’ll definitely use them up. Ginger Gold’s in particular are excellent for just about any use: snacking (they’re very slow to brown when cut), pie making (they hold their shape when cooked/baked), etc. However they don’t store well… so refrigerate ’em & use ’em ASAP.
…
Other apples that are good for this are Lady apples, or any small-sized apple, really.
I used wooden shish kebob sticks/skewers for mine. You can use whatever you like. Fancy twigs, etc. As far as the caramel goes, I’d personally stick with just caramel, or maybe with a swirl of chocolate. If you want to roll it in chopped walnuts or something that’s up to you- I’d just advise you not to go too crazy. Maybe it’s just me but those candy apples with 5 different kinds of chocolate/caramel/nuts never look appealing to me, just messy. But again, it’s a personal thing. And like I said last time I used a Martha idea, I can’t give you the actual witch template, like I said before it’s only available in the magazine & I don’t want to violate her copyrights. I mean, Martha’s been to prison; I don’t wanna fuck with her. But if you don’t want to buy the magazine, with a little creativity & internet saavy, you can do-it-yourself. The internet is chock full of awesome vintage Halloween clip-art.
So put on Hocus Pocus or Bedknobs & Broomsticks, maybe even watch Once Upon A Time this Sunday night & cast a spell of your own to make some witchy caramel apples.
Have you ever heard the Irish legend of “Carman”, the Celtic witch?
Carman is the Celtic goddess of evil magic. She is a destructive witch who roamed ireland with her three evil sons: Dub (“darkness” in Irish), Dother (“evil”) and Dain (“violence”), destroying anything or anyone in their path. Carman put a blight on Ireland’s crops and terrorized the Irish until the Tuatha De Danann, the “peoples of the goddess Danu,” used their magic to fight and defeat her, and drove her sons across the sea. Just another Irish folklore to worry about while “Trick or Treating” this Halloween.
-source: The Irish Jewelry Company
Great idea!
Thanks Dee, but I can’t really take credit for it, it was Martha’s idea.
I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours these days, but I never discovered any interesting article
like yours. It’s beautiful worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and
bloggers made excellent content material as you did,
the internet might be much more helpful than ever before.
Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this
blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price?
Many thanks, I appreciate it!
Useful information. Lucky me I discovered your website by accident,
and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t came about
in advance! I bookmarked it.
Nice answer back in return of this matter with firm arguments and telling all regarding that.
I got what you mean,saved to fav, very nice site.
Hey, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boring…
I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a little
out of track! come on!
Wonderful items from you, man. I have take into accout your stuff previous to and you are just too great.
I really like what you’ve got here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which in which you assert it.
You’re making it entertaining and you still care
for to stay it sensible. I can’t wait to learn far more from you.
That is actually a tremendous website.
I for all time emailed this webpage post page to all my associates,
for the reason that if like to read it next my links will too.
There’s certainly a great deal to learn about this issue.
I really like all of the points you’ve made.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will
come back someday. I want to encourage continue your great
work, have a nice afternoon!
If you wish for to improve your familiarity only keep visiting this site and be updated with the newest information posted here.
Asking questions are actually pleasant thing if you are not understanding
something completely, except this post gives good understanding even.
This is really interesting, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and stay up for in the hunt for more of your excellent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks|
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information.
I am glad that you just shared this helpful information with
us. Please stay us up to date like this.
Thanks for sharing.
I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone
else experiencing issues with your website. It looks like some
of the written text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
This may be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had
this happen before. Many thanks
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable experience regarding unexpected feelings.