Food Holidays: October 13th, 2021

Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: October 13th, 2021. This morning is National Caramel Apple Day. If I ate these Charlie and I could make them in his Homeschool Cooking Class. I don’t eat Caramel Apples and Charlie isn’t eating Sugar at the moment.

National Caramel Apple Day

Five facts to know about Caramel Apples:

Candy Apples were first introduced in Arabian cuisine. The reason was that fruit was candied to preserve it.

Americans have over the years turned that practice into gigantic Apples covered in everything from Red Candy or Caramel. Chocolate, Peanuts, Popcorn, and Chocolate.

Soldiers in World War I slanged Carmel Apples “Toffee Apples.”  Candy Apples are popular all over the world.

England celebrates Guy Fawkes Day with Caramel Apples on November 5th.

Did you know everything from a Kool-Aid flavor to a nail-polish shade has been named Candy Apple Red.

As if October 31th wasn’t awesome enough with Halloween Costumes, Ghouls, candy, and spooky things galore – it’s also National Caramel Apple Day! Caramel Apples and Halloween go together like Ghosts, Goblins, tricks, and treats. The tradition stretches back decades to the day a creative Kraft confectioner invented the wonderfully simple recipe while trying to figure out what to do with a bunch of excess Halloween Caramels.

HISTORY OF ​NATIONAL CARAMEL APPLE DAY

In the 1950s, a Kraft Foods employee had a over abundance of Caramel Candies leftover from Halloween and, Apples as well. Figuring out a way to use up these extra Caramels, the confectioner, Dan Walker, decided to melt the candy and covered the Apples with Melted Caramel, creating an immediate Autumnal classic. 

Fall is associated commonly with Apple picking, Apple Cider and Caramel Apples don’t fall far from the tree. As Apple Season comes to a close in late October, the remaining Apples are either used to create a Hot Cider, Apple Pie, or Caramel Apples. 

It didn’t take long for Caramel Apples to become the official snack for Hayrides and Corn Mazes, but it did take long for Caramel and Apples to become what they are today. From their advents in the Middle East to the tall tale (or fact?) of Johnny Appleseed, Apples have a long history with humans. Caramel was created roughly around 1000 AD and, since then, these candies have held a firm place in the drawers of Grandparents everywhere and, more recently, atop Apples.

NATIONAL CARAMEL APPLE DAY ACTIVITIES

1. All food-related Holidays and observances are best experienced with gusto. National Caramel Apple Day is no exception. Get yourself a Carmel Apple Day before they’re gone!
2. We know the basics: melted Caramel, Apple (Granny Smith, Fuji, etc.) and a stick. There are many ways to prep this treat. Cover your Caramel with Peanuts, Sprinkles, or Kosher Salt or whatever you like!
3. Create a tasty Caramel Apple (and then enjoy the snack while wearing a Halloween costume.

​5 THINGS TO CHEW ON WHILE ENJOYING CARAMEL APPLES

1. Colonists in the 1600s first introduced North America to Apples we eat and enjoy today.
2. The only Apple native to North America is the Crabapple, which most people find sour and unpleasant to eat.
3. Rev. William Blaxton, the first Colonist to settle in Boston, planted a Apple Orchard in 1625. The first one on the North American Continent.
4. John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, introduced Apple Trees to many parts of the American Midwest.
5. In 2015, Cosmos Creations of Junction City, Kansas, made the world’s largest Caramel Corn Ball which weighed 6,780 pounds.

WHY WE LOVE ​NATIONAL CARAMEL APPLE DAY

1. Apples are tasty on their own, but the addition of a Caramel coating turns the Apple-eating experience into something extra yummy.
2. There’s something sweet and special about the way Melted Caramel coats the outside of a bright Red Apple. Lke they were made for each other.
3. Caramel Apples are delectable treats. With the clever addition of a stick, you don’t have to goo up your hands while you’re eating a Carmel Apple. Unless you want to, of course.

Recipe Carmel Apple Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 large tart Apples
• 8 Wooden Chopsticks for handles
• 1 cup Butter 
• 2 cups packed Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Light Corn Syrup
• 1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Directions

• Step 1 Bring a large saucepan of Water to a boil. Dip Apples in boiling Water for a few seconds. Dry with Paper Towels to remove any wax from the peels. Set Apples aside; when completely cool. Then insert a Wooden Chopstick firmly into the bottom of each Apple.
• Step 2 Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper.
• Step 3 Stir Butter, Brown Sugar, Corn Syrup, and Sweetened Condensed Milk together in a Saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until a Candy Thermometer reads 248 degrees F (120 degrees C), 25 to 30 minutes; stir constantly to prevent burning. A teaspoon of the Syrup, dropped in a glass of cold Water, should form a firm ball. Remove Caramel from the heat and stir in Vanilla extract.
• Step 4 Working quickly, dip each Apple into the Hot Caramel to completely coat the Apple and about 1/2 inch of the wooden handle. Sprinkle Apples with any toppings while still hot. Let the Caramel Apples cool on the Parchment Paper.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates