Halloween Treats for Adults
4 Comments | Written on October 20, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni
Halloween isn’t just for kids! Adults have been known to like a trick or a treat, too! Caramel apples are always a seasonal favorite, but this recipe turns them into an upscale gourmet treat. In this Asian-inspired version the apples are skewered on chopsticks instead of the usual Popsicle sticks. Then they are dipped twice-once in melted caramels and again in a mixture of melted chocolate pieces with Chinese five-spice powder. Then the apple is rolled in toasted coconut, sesame seeds or finely chopped crystallized ginger. The result is a unique Halloween treat that your guests will love!
If you have never used it before, Chinese 5-Spice Powder is a fantastic ingredient! It is a mixture of five spices, typically fennel, cloves, Szechuan peppercorns, star anise and cinnamon. This formula encompasses all five flavors of sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty and is based on the Chinese philosophy of balancing the yin and yang in food. Not only is it great in this recipe, but you can also use it in duck or pork dishes.
CHINESE 5-SPICE DARK CHOCOLATE CARAMEL APPLES
Ingredients:
- 6 Granny Smith apples
- 1 14-oz pkg individually wrapped caramels
- 1 tbsp whole milk
- 14 oz dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp vegetable shortening
- 2 tsp Chinese 5-spice powder
- 1/2 cup coconut, shredded and toasted
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
Directions:
Remove stems from apples. Gently press a decorative chopstick into the top of each apple, pressing about 3/4 of the way through. Set up 2 double boilers: use 2 saucepans, filled about halfway with water, and 2 deep medium stainless steel bowls. Bring water to a simmer in both saucepans. Place unwrapped caramels and milk in one double boiler bowl and the dark chocolate chips and shortening in the other. Stir caramels with a rubber spatula. Once caramel has melted, coat apples thoroughly and allow to set on a cookie sheet covered with parchment or waxed paper. Whisk chocolate and shortening until melted; add 5-spice powder and whisk until blended. Dip caramel apples into melted chocolate, covering completely. While chocolate is still soft, dip each apple halfway into toasted coconut, sesame seeds or crystallized ginger. Allow to set completely before serving.
Number of Servings: 6
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Around the World, Better Recipes, Celebrations and Parties, Fast and Fabulous, Holidays, On A Budget, Sweet Tooth | Tags:
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4 Responses to “Halloween Treats for Adults”
Oh yum!!!! I could eat my screen right now! I was just telling Aubrey I wanted to make a stuffed french toast with apples, but this oh my!
She has a recipe for coconut syrup!
[...] To read more and get the recipe, check out Better Recipes. [...]
What a twist on caramel apples!
can’t wait to pass these out to my friends