I’ve been thinking about something fun and entertaining to share with you this Halloween.
It isn’t easy coming up with something new . . . but I think this will do it.
JibJab is a great website that allows you to make personalized videos. With the help of some friends, I was able to do this Fun Video Rap for your Halloween entertainment.
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!
I got hooked on using a small scoop to empty out an apple, then seeing what I could put inside.
I liked the idea of having single serving items. Similar to stuffed peppers. It seemed as though those were made just for me. I know it seems silly, but there is something about it that seemed special. Now, with these Apple Apple Pies I am in heaven.
I do love baked apples, but baked apples with a top crust . . . heaven! And what is inside is the stuff of a great apple pie. This is a great treat you can serve any time, but wouldn’t it be something special for Thanksgiving! You can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top to make this absolutely delicious.
I don’t know about you, but baking an apple pie and cutting into it, then saving the left-overs in the pie tin or on a plate all wrapped up looks kind of sad. These Apple Apple Pies are single serving or you can half them with a friend and the remaining ones are still intact and inviting.
Well, let’s see how to make this delicious apple pie. You’ll need:
4 to 6 Granny Smith Apples that can stand upright on their own. You’re making individual pies here and want them to stand up straight and tall to impress your guests.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
You can make your own pie crust or buy it already made
Now, let’s put these pie together:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Wash your apples. Pat dry with a cloth or paper towel.
Cut the tops off the apples and discard.
Carefully get out the seeds and husks or whatever the unappealing stuff that makes up the core of the apple. You want to be careful so you don’t damage the outside of the apple.
You can use a spoon, melon baller or small scoop to dig out the inside of the apple. You’re going to want to chop this up and use it for your pie filling. Now, there is a fine art to this. You need to go slowly and carefully. Or if this is too much for you, dig it out however you choose and then cut up another apple or two to add to the filling. Or buy the canned apple pie filling in the store. There are always alternatives. That can be our secret.
In a bowl, you’re going to put your apple pieces and mix up the sugars and cinnamon. You can make adjustments to the ingredients to taste.
Fill up your hollowed out apples with the apple pie filling.
Roll out your dough. Cut in 1/4 wide strips and make a lattice work pattern over the top of each apple.
Put the apples in a 8″ x 8″ pan. You want to add water to over the bottom of the pan.
Cover with foil and back for about 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the apple filling is soft and the crust is a nice golden brown.
Let cool before serving. I do like to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but some people may want a hunk of cheddar cheese to go with their apple apple pie. However you decide to serve it, it will be delicious.
There you go! Something different and very eye appealing.
This is definitely my favorite Halloween story of all time: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
This is the 1970 animated version for your enjoyment and that of your children.
No Halloween Evening is complete without reading this legend or watching the videos. I enjoy sitting in front of the fireplace after all the trick-or-treaters have gotten their treats and have stopped for the night. I may have a few pieces of candy left in my bowl of treats, but I prefer to have a nice hot cup of cocoa or tea. Then settle into this great adventure I visit once a year on Old Hollow’s Eve.
And for a little twist, how about a Baked Caramel Apple!
Ingredients
2 crisp apples
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp packed brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
4 caramels
vanilla ice cream is optional drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with cinnamon — I wonder about nutmeg instead of cinnamon
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Slice off the top 1/4 to 1/3 of the apples. Scoop out the core.
Use a thin knife to make two, deep circular cuts around the center of the apple.
Turn the apple over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apple.
Place the apples in an oven safe dish and put two caramels into the center of each apple.
Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 second, stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture over the top of the two sliced apples.
Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. (Check apples after 25 minutes and continue cooking until tender. Some apples can take 45 min to 1 hour to soften.)
Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls.
Spread it out or it may fall out to make a really delightful display.
Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg. I prefer nutmeg to cinnamon, but it’s your baked apple treat. The ice cream will cause the caramel in the center to harden so eat quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side.
This is a tasty treat the whole family will love. It’s like having apple pie without the crust. Or a caramel apple that’s easy to eat.
I love making mummies and filling them with all kinds of good stuff. Meatballs seems to be a major winner right now for my family.
It’s finger food at it’s absolute best.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
You can either make your own meatballs or find some already prepared. Your meatballs need to be cooked. You then wrap them up with pizza dough or your could use another bread-type dough from the wide selection of Pillsbury brand.
I roll my meatballs in some spaghetti sauce to stick them together on a flat piece of bread dough. I then cut some strips out of the remaining bread dough (about 1/4 inch wide) and wrap up this little mummy. I leave some room for edible eyes.
I guess I forgot to tell you to preheat your oven to 350 degrees and to put your wrapped up mummies on a cookie sheet. You can either spray it with nonstick cooking spray or cover it with aluminium foil or get fancy with parchment. Whatever works for you.
Then I pop them in the oven for about 20 plus minutes until brown.
Serve them warm out of the oven. Add a salad or just have them as a snack. You may have more warmed spaghetti sauce available for dipping. Be sure to make plenty. They’re a real crowd pleaser.