Maple Popcorn and the Weekly Menu #CooktheBooks #MoviesandMunchies

This month's Movies and Munchies pick is the iconic A League of Their Own chosen by Debra of Eliot's Eats.  

When I was looking for this movie I discovered a series based on the film available with Amazon Prime.  I haven't watched it yet but I will.

Hot Honey Caramel Sauce and The Murmur of Bees

Creamy sweet heat that is perfect for pouring onto ice cream, drizzled over brownies, or dunked by a cookie.  This easy recipe is ready to use in 10 minutes or can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator to be rewarmed and used later.

I was inspired to make this recipe while reading The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia....

Snickers Salad #SundayFunday

Crisp, tart apples tossed with the nutty, caramel goodness of Snickers bar coated in a pudding base.  Who says you can't have salad for dessert?!

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Gluten Free Desserts today.......

Sea Salt and Pink Peppercorn Caramels #SpringSweetsWeek

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Soft, Chewy Caramels sprinkled with Fleur de Sel and Pink Peppercorns make a great hostess gift when given in a crystal bowl or can be wrapped individually for easy distribution on Easter Sunday.

We are celebrating Day 4 of Spring Sweets Week!!

Cashew Caramel Cookies #ImprovCookingChallenge

If you are a cashew lover you are going to be nuts over these delicious cookies topped with melted caramel.

It's time for the Improv Cooking Challenge.......

Magical Cookie Bars #SundayFunday

 Did your Mom make Magic Bars when your were a kid?  My Mom used to make them all the time.  These delicious bar cookies start with a graham cracker crust, topped with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, pecans and coconut.  The end result is Magical.....hence the name.

It's time for Sunday Funday and what is more fun than ooey gooey cookie bars?

Salted Caramel Mudslide #FoodieExtravaganza

 This cocktail just tastes like fall to me.  Perfect when sitting around a bonfire or curled up by the fireplace with a good book.

We are celebrating Caramel today over at Foodie Extravaganza......

Candy Corn Cocktail to Kick off the Weekend

 Pumpkin Spice Liqueur, Caramel Vodka and Rumchata combine to make a drink that tastes amazingly like candy corn.  Perfect to welcome Halloween season.....

Caramel Apple Ice Cream Pie #FallFlavors

Disclosure:  I received sponsor products for use in creating recipes for this week's Fall Flavors Event.  All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Ginger Graham Cracker crust filled with ice cream and apples.  This no bake pie is the perfect end of summer leading into fall treat.

Don't let the photo scare you.  I made this pie for a gathering on an extremely hot day.  By the time I got the pie cut and served, my piece had started melting and I had failed to get a photo of the first slice of pie.

That's what happens when a blogger like me actually makes food for family and friends to eat and enjoy instead of just for blogging purposes.

Welcome to Day 1 of Flavors of Fall Week.......

Pecan Turtles #OurFamilyTable

Shelled pecan halves, melted gooey caramel and creamy milk chocolate come together quickly and easily for a cute treat everyone will love.

Three ingredients, a microwave and 20 minutes is all it takes to make this Easy Candy Recipe.......

Chocolate Caramel Apple Slices: Welcome to #AppleWeek

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #AppleWeek . I received complimentary product from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Delicious apples coated in caramel, sprinkled with ginger cookie crumbs, drizzled with 2 different chocolates.  It must be Fall!!!

Welcome to Apple Week ..........

Caramel Apple Cookie Bars #AppleWeek #BakingBloggers

This post is sponsored on behalf of #appleweek. Our generous sponsors, Swiss Diamond, Envy Apples, Imperial Sugar, Nordic Ware, Rodelle Vanilla, Flahavan's Irish Oatmeal, Nairn's and The Spice House have provided us with products for recipe creation and a giveaway for our readers. As always, all opinions are my own.

These ooey gooey bars have all the great flavors that you love about Caramel Apples but are transported to your mouth via cookie instead of a stick!

Welcome to Day 2 of Apple Week.......

Apple Bundt with Caramel Glaze #BundtBakers

This moist, flavorful cake with a wonderful caramel glaze is the perfect seasonal dessert for this time of year.

Please join me as I host this month's version of Bundt Bakers.......

Breakfast Cupcakes #BakingBloggers

Welcome back to Baking Bloggers the once a month group that bakes up something special as voted on by the members and shares it on the second Monday of each month.  This group is the brainchild of my friend, Sue of Palatable Pastime.

The theme chosen for this month is cupcakes.  Having just celebrated Easter, last months blog posts are chock full of desserts.  I really didn't want to make another dessert.  I was thinking about sitting this event out so imagine my delight when I was flipping through an old issue of Cuisine at Home and came across a recipe for Breakfast Cupcakes.

These cupcakes will be perfect for your Mother's Day Brunch.  Add some scrambled eggs and a fruit salad and it will be a feast fit for a Queen.  Your Mom deserves it.

They are relatively easy to make and they are totally delicious.  Be warned though that with the topping of apples and caramel that soaks into the cupcake, they are on the sweet side. When I make them for a Brunch I will make sure that the other dishes are savory to even out the flavors. You won't need to add any syrup to these cupcakes at all.

The cake is a combination of cornmeal and flour combined with sausage.  I used a mild pork sausage but I think perhaps a spicier sausage would have been better.  Frank, however, thought they were perfect with the sausage I used .  Personal preference is the key.

I adapted the recipe to use what I had on hand, substituting sour cream for the yogurt and light cream for the milk in the cake and heavy cream in the caramel.

Served with a dollop of whipped cream and a cup of hot coffee, it made a pleasurable breakfast for Frank and I.  The remaining cupcakes were refrigerated and warmed up nicely in the microwave for breakfast the following morning with our Little Miss.

Please stop by the links at the bottom of this post to see what cupcakes the others are sharing today.

Breakfast Cupcakes

adapted from Cuisine at Home, Issue #73

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. cornmeal

1/3 c. packed brown sugar

1 T. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

dash of salt

1/3 c. sour cream

1/3 c. light cream

2 T. canola oil

3 eggs

1/2 lb bulk pork sausage, cooked, crumbled and drained

1 apple (I used honey crisp), cored and thinly sliced

1 c. packed brown sugar

1/3 c. light cream

1/4 c. maple syrup

2 pinches of salt

Combine the flour, cornmeal, 1/3 c. brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sausage in a large bowl.  Whisk together the sour cream, 1/3 c. light cream, oil and eggs.  Add to the dry ingredients and combine just until moistened.   The batter will be stiff.  Set aside.

Whisk together the 1 c. brown sugar, 1/3 c. cream, maple syrup and salt in a skillet placed over med high heat.  Cook and stir until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat to med low and let simmer, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.

Spray a jumbo muffin pan with baking spray.  Arrange the apple slices into the bottom of each cup and divide the caramel between the cups, pouring it over the apples.  Divide the batter between each cup and place on top of the apple/caramel mixture.  

Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 20-30 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center removes cleanly.  Immediately turn out of the pan and serve while still hot.  Print Recipe

Baking Bloggers

Cupcakes

• Boston Cream Cupcakes by The Redhead Baker
• Breakfast Cupcakes by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Dream Delight Cupcakes by Sneha's Recipe
• Red Wine Dark Chocolate Cupcakes by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Tiramisu Cupcakes by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking

Ooey Gooey Salted Caramel Cake #FoodieExtravaganza

The theme for this month's Foodie Extravaganza is Caramel.  All the members of the group made a recipe featuring caramel and are sharing it with our readers today.  You will find links to all the recipes at the bottom of this post.  You can learn more about the group at our Facebook page.

This month's party is being hosted by Kathleen of Fearlessly Creative Mammas.  She went over to The Nibble where she found out all about the foods that Americans celebrate during the month of April.  Today,  April 5th, is National Caramel Day.  Woohooooo.  And tomorrow?  Tomorrow is National Caramel Popcorn Day.  So there you have it folks.  Time to break out the caramel!!

Our German son, Max, was home for a few days.  He was able to squeeze in a short visit between a training session in New York and returning to Berlin.  Since he only had a few days we hosted a party so that everyone could come to him instead of his trying to be everywhere at once.

I made up a roaster full of stew, a big tossed salad, a fruit salad, biscuits, brownies and this absolutely amazing cake that I adapted from this recipe found at BettyCrocker.com.

Starting with a boxed cake mix, heath bar crumbles and salted caramel ice cream topping made this cake come together in minutes.

A quick bake in the oven, top it with more salted caramel and toffee candy pieces and it is ready to be set aside while you complete your other chores before guests arrive.

When ready to serve, just whip up some heavy cream and drizzle with some more caramel and you have a treat sure to please any caramel lover in your midst.

Make sure you continue after my recipe to see all the other Caramel Creations!

Ooey Gooey Salted Caramel Cake

adapted from Betty Crocker

1 box yellow cake mix

1/3 c. flour

1 c. water

1/3 c. canola oil

3 eggs

1 (8 oz) bag chocolate coated toffee bits

1 (15 oz) jar salted caramel ice cream topping

1 (8 oz) carton heavy cream

Additional caramel topping, if desired

Place cake mix, flour, water, oil and eggs in large bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on low for 30 seconds, increase speed to medium and beat for a minute or two.  Stir in 1/2 cup of the toffee bits.

Pour into a 9x13" pan that has been treated with baking spray. Reserve 1/2 cup of the salted caramel. Drop by spoonfuls the remaining salted caramel in dollops on top of the batter.  Bake in a preheated 350* oven for 35-40 minutes, until a skewer inserted removes cleanly.

Cool cake for 5 minutes.  Place the reserved salted caramel in the microwave on high heat for 10 seconds then pour over the still warm cake and spread it evenly.  Sprinkle with remaining toffee bits.

Just before serving, place the heavy cream in a chilled bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Begin beating on low until slightly thickened. Increase the speed and beat until light and fluffy.  No need to add any sweetener to this cream.  This cake is plenty sweet.  

Place a piece of cake on a plate.  Add a dollop of the whipped cream and drizzle with additional caramel sauce.  Print Recipe

More Caramel Creations!

• Gooey Caramel Cake - Fearlessly Creative Mammas 
• Easter Coconut Bird's Egg Nests - Palatable Pastime 
• Ooey Gooey Salted Caramel Cake - A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Caramel Apple Granola - Hardly a Goddess 
• Caramel Apple Dip - Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Banana Chia Pudding with Date Caramel - Caroline's Cooking 
• Affogato - Vanilla Ice Cream With Espresso, Caramel Sauce And Salted Almonds - Sneha's Recipes
• Fa'ausi (Samoan Coconut Caramel Bread) - Tara's Multicultural Table

Foodie Extravaganza is a monthly party where bloggers come together to create recipes using the same ingredient. The host, this month it's Kathleen from Fearlessly Creative Mammas, picks an ingredient from the website The Nibble. If you're a blogger and would like to join in the fun, you can request to join on this Facebook page. Posting day is alway the first Wednesday of the month. If you'd like to see past recipes, you can follow our Pinterest board too.

Caramelized Cranberry Cake for the Cape Cod Select Holiday Blogging Challenge

I was approached by Cape Cod Select and asked if I would be interested in entering their Holiday Blogging Challenge.  Categories for this challenge are beverage, entrees and baking.  Bloggers are allowed to participate in all 3 categories if they wish.  One winner is chosen from each category and will receive a prize of $500 and there will be one overall winning recipe for a grand prize of $1000.

I was sent two bags of fresh frozen cranberries for use in this challenge.  I have not/nor will I receive any monetary compensation unless I am deemed a winner of this challenge in one of the aforementioned categories.  To participate in this challenge I have agreed to refer to the cranberries by name brand in the recipe, include a picture of the cranberries that I received to use in this challenge and include links to the companies social media as well as a download to stores where my readers will be able to find Cape Cod Select Cranberries.

That being disclosed, I want to assure my readers that all opinions in this post are completely mine and completely accurate.  Cape Cod Select Cranberries were used in the implementation of this recipe so as to allow me to take part in this challenge.

I was excited to enter this challenge.  I love baking and cooking with cranberries. In fact, I participated in a Cranberry Week challenge last month where a group of us shared cranberry recipes for a whole week!

I love cakes but I am not a huge frosting fan so when I am able to make a cake sans frosting I jump at the chance.

This cake is made in the style of an upside down cake.  I first caramelized the fruit in a cast iron skillet, added the batter and allowed it to bake creating a syrupy sweet topping that was offset by the tart bite of the cranberries. 

I hope you enjoy my recipe.  You can find Cape Cod Select Cranberries at nearly 5000 stores nationwide.  Check their store locator to find them near you.  Cape Cod Select is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Caramelized Cranberry Cake

created by A Day in the Life on the Farm

Prep time: 10 minutes

Bake time: 50 minutes

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. butter, divided

1 t. cinnamon

2 c.  Cape Cod Select Premium Frozen Cranberries, thawed

3/4 c. granulated sugar

2 eggs

3/4 c. milk

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. sour cream

2 c. all purpose flour

2 t. baking powder

In a 12" cast iron skillet, over med high heat, melt 1/4 c. of the butter.  Add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook and stir until melted and bubbly.  Remove from heat and add the cranberries, stirring to coat and covering the bottom of the pan.

In the large bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the remaining 1/4 c. of butter with the granulated sugar.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Stir in the milk, vanilla and sour cream.  With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour and baking powder until moistened. Increase the speed and mix until just blended.  

Carefully pour the batter into the skillet in a circular fashion covering the cranberries evenly.  Place in a preheated 375* oven for 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center removes cleanly.  Remove from oven and cool in pan on baking rack for 10 minutes.  Run a knife around the edges of the cake and flip onto a serving platter.  Print Recipe

Nutty Caramel Corn for #ImprovCookingChallenge

Woohoooo...time for Improv Cooking Challenge.  The fun group that chooses two ingredients and asks us to create our best recipe using said ingredients.  Unlike, Crazy Ingredient Challenge, which might have 2 ingredients not normally used together, Improv uses two ingredients that can be used together in a multitude of ways.  This means that you, our readers, get a plethora of wonderful recipes to try and enjoy.

This month the ingredients are Nuts and Caramel. Two of my very favorite ingredients.  The possibilites are endless.  Brownies?  Cake?  Ice Cream Sundaes?  Peanut Brittle?  What to make, what to make??

I finally decided on a caramel corn chock full of mixed nuts.  It is easy to prepare. Everyone loves it. It keeps well.  It packages well.  It makes wonderful gifts.

I placed my Nutty Caramel Corn into little treat bags.  They will go home with the kids this weekend after Sunday Supper.  Each bag would also make great gifts to give to friends after a dinner party. Perhaps you could attach a dvd or gift card for the movies for an easy and fun Christmas gift. Or take it along with you to your next holiday party as a hostess gift.  

Whatever you decide to do, do it quick.  Get it packaged up and put away because if you wait you will find yourself nibbling each time you walk past until there is nothing left but the seeds......

Nutty Caramel Corn

Heaping 1/2 c. of popcorn kernels, popped

2 c. roasted and salted mixed nuts

2 c. brown sugar, packed

1/2 c. white corn syrup

pinch of salt

2 sticks unsalted butter

1/2 t, baking soda

1 t. pure vanilla extract

Combine popcorn and nuts in a large bowl.

In a large saucepan or dutch oven, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium heat and melt, stirring occasionally until it starts to boil.  Boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.  Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring immediately, coating as much popcorn as possible, before turning out onto baking sheets that have been sprayed with cooking spray and covered with parchment paper. 

Spread the popcorn mixture evenly among the 2 pans.  Don't worry about the caramel coverage at this point.  Place the pans in a preheated 250* oven for 15 minutes, using the top and middle racks. Remove from oven and stir to coat more of the popcorn mixture.  Replace in the oven using opposite racks for each pan.  Repeat this every 15 minutes for 1 hour.  After the final 15 minutes, stir and dump onto a counter lined with parchment paper. 

Allow to cool before breaking apart and placing into air tight containers for storage.  Print Recipe

More wonderful recipes containing Caramel and Nuts

An InLinkz Link-up

Cheers!!!! We are celebrating #AppleWeek.

Welcome to Apple Week, where Ellen of Family Around the Table and Carlee of  Cooking with Carlee, have invited several of us to post our favorite apple recipes according to a theme chosen for each day.

Today is Monday so we are celebrating with Drinks and Appetizers.  It's like a potluck and each of us has brought either a drink or an app to share.  You will find all of our goodies at the bottom of this post.  But the fun doesn't stop here....we are going all week long!!  Here are our themes for each day.

• Monday- Appetizers and Drinks
• Tuesday- Mains and Sides
• Wednesday- Sweets
• Thursday- Decorations, Crafts or Projects
• Friday-Anything Apple 

You can see that it is going to be a great party.  You are going to want to scroll to the bottom of each post where you will find links to the others who are joining in the fun. I will be here each and every day but I won't be posting on Thursday as we are in the process of moving and I have already packed up all of my craft supplies.

I have recently gotten a Vitamix for my birthday and my first thought was to make homemade apple juice but what the heck kinda party is that!!!  I'll save it for when my Angel Face comes to visit.  So I went to my bartender extraordinaire, who also happens to be my husband, and asked him to create me an apple drink that did not contain apple schnapps or apple liqour of any sort because I think it tastes fake and it makes me gag.  

So when we were out for a drive one day we stopped by the cider mill and picked up some cider, apples and donuts.....yes I know they are not on my eating plan....but they had just come out of the fryer and were still warm!!! They were shaken in cinnamon sugar and smelled so delicious.  We broke open the box the minute we got in the car.  I controlled myself and only had one but it was very difficult.....believe you me!

Frank created these while I was making dinner.  While dinner was simmering on the stove he handed me one as a pre-dinner cocktail.  Well....it is very decadent and sweet.....much better suited for an after dinner dessert so that is what we did.  Into the refrigerator it went and it was a perfect ending for a nice meal.

Caramel Apple Martini

created by Frank

3 jiggers apple cider

2 jiggers caramel vodka

ice

caramel syrup

cinnamon sugar

apple slices

Rim two glasses with caramel and then dip into cinnamon sugar. Place the cider and vodka into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well to chill and combine.  Pour into prepared glasses and garnish with an apple slice.  

Print Recipe

Monday: Appetizers and Drinks

• Apple Brie Roll Up  by Family Around the Table
• Apple Cider Margaritas by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Cheddar Pinwheels by Cooking With Carlee 
• Apple Pie Martini by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Apple Pie Smoothie by Feeding Big
• Hot Fireball Apple Cider by Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Caramel Apple Float by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Caramel Apple Martini by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Caramel Appletini by The Speckled Palate 
• Crockpot Apple Sauce by I Say Nomato 
• Hot and Boozy Caramel Apple Cider by Love My Messy Messy Mess 
• Mulled Apple Shrub Mule by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures 
• Red Hot Apple Cider by New South Charm
• Roasted Apple and Acorn Squash Soup by Caroline's Cooking 
• Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Tuesday: Main Dishes and Sides

• Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Apple Cider Bread by I Say Nomato 
• Apple-Glazed Pork Chops with Raisins by Love My Messy Messy Mess
• Apple Streusel Muffins by Family Around The Table
• Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries by Feeding Big
• Chopped Apple Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Fall Apples Become Yummy Applesauce for the Year by Crafty Mama in ME 
• Harvest Brats with Apple Slaw by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Sausage Stuffed Apples by A Palatable Pastime 
• Sage Pork Chops with Apple Pan Gravy by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Scalloped Apples Casserole by Red Cottage Chronicles 
• Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork by Cooking With Carlee
• Southern Style Fried Apples by New South Charm

Wednesday: Sweet Treats

• Apple and Nut Drop Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Apple Brown Betty by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Apple Cider Caramel Sauce by Cooking With Carlee 
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread by Feeding Big 
• Apple Dumplings by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Oatmeal Cookies by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• Apple Pie & Cinnamon Things by Crafty Mama in ME 
• Apple Pie in a Jar by Grumpy's Honeybunch 
• Apple Swirl Buns by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Baked Apples with Chocolate and Caramel by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 
• Brown Butter Apples by Cricket's Confections 
• Mini Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Nana's Apple Pie by The Crumby Cupcake 
• Sparkling Cider Pound Cake by Family Around The Table

Thursday: Apple Projects

• Apple Bacon Jam by Caroline's Cooking
• Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix in a Jar by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Cinnamon Stovetop Potpourri by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Apple Suncatchers by Crafty Mama in ME
• Caramel Apple in a Jar by Family Around The Table
• Homemade Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packets by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Knit Apple Hat by Jolene's Recipe Journal

Friday: Anything Apple Goes

• 1 Minute Caramel Apple Dip by Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
• Apple Brown Betty by A Palatable Pastime
• Apple Bundt Cake With Cider Caramel by Cooking With Carlee 
• Apple Cinnamon Shortcakes by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 
• Apple Fritters by Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Apple Pie Skillet by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Caramelized Apple and Bacon Jam Crostini by Caroline's Cooking
• Creamy Peanut Butter Apple Dip by New South Charm 
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apple and Peppered Bacon by Feeding Big
• Individual Apple Crisp by Family Around The Table 
• Smoky Apple Pulled Pork by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter by The Crumby Cupcake