Apple Ring Pancakes

I recently saw a brilliant recipe for apple ring pancakes made by Carla Hall from Top Chef. This idea is simply genius - and simply simple too!

You can find her recipe here. I actually used one of Martha's basic pancake recipe's instead. Then I added a smidgen of cinnamon and nutmeg. You know what a smidgen is right?

Peel and slice your apples.

I love the star shape in the center of apples when you slice them.

I didn't have an apple corer, and I thought it would be cute to use a little heart shape cookie cutter to cut out the core. It didn't matter, you couldn't tell what shape it was after I dipped them in the batter. Anyways, just take your apple slice and dip them in your batter and cook them just like you would a regular pancake.

Top it all off with some delicious maple syrup, and breakfast is served.

So good. So clever. So easy.

Such a great use for using those fall apples you probably have sitting around.

That's it, enjoy your weekend!

Mini caramel apples

It's almost fall time. I can't wait! Pumpkins, Halloween, chilly weather, and apples! Here's a fun and easy treat to utilize some of those delicious apples you might be going out and picking. Actually, it's a delicious treat you can do any time of year - but I find it appropriate for fall time especially.

Here's all you need.

Apples (I used granny smith)

Caramel

lolli-pop sticks

melon baller

bowl (to melt caramel)

sprinkles (optional)

not pictured

1 T. water

granulated sugar

sheet pan

wax paper

lemon juice

Use your melon baller to cut balls out of your (clean) apple. I tossed the apple balls with a little bit of lemon juice to prevent browning. You should be able to get between 7-9 balls per apple.

Take your apple balls and stick onto your lollipop stick through the "skinned" end of your ball.

Dip apple ball into your melted caramel. (Place caramels in a microwave safe bowl with 1T. of water and microwave in 1 minute intervals until smooth and melted).

Place on a wax paper lined baking sheet that has been sprinkled with a little bit of sugar.

Or swap out the sugar for some candy bits or sprinkles.

Enjoy within one day - but i'm sure they won't last that long.

Note - Not intended for children under the age of two. Reason number 1) because raw apples and gooey caramel can be choking hazards....

...reason number 2) because this is what happens when you take it away!