Caramel Apple Squares

I was cruising through Walmart a while back and glanced over and saw these little lovelies. . .

They magically dove straight into my basket. . .seriously, I didn't even blink. . .

First they were on the shelf, and then they were in the basket. I didn't even slow down. . .

I could hear them calling to me!

I had to figure out something to do with them. Here is what I came up with. 

The cast and crew.

Cream the butter and shortening together for about 30 sec on high.

Peel your Granny Smith apple. . .

I will stray from my love afair with Ambrosia apples when it comes to baking. 

Granny Smiths really stand up to the sweetness here. 

*Note: If you don't have one of these peelers, then I have another item for your Christmas list. They are a little awquard at first because you peel towards you, but they are oh-so-awesome and make peeling things a breeze! I even use it to slice thin strips off the end of a block of cheese.
You can order one here . .I digress. . .

Cut the apple into 1/2 inch cubes. For my apple cutting technique see my apple post.

Add the two sugars, the baking powder and baking soda.

Mix well, then add egg and vanilla.

Mix well.

Add flour and mix well.

Add rolled oats and mix well. . .I sense a theme. . .mix well, people!

If you truly want to be like me, then dump some oatmeal on the floor while you are taking pictures.

Mix well.

Add Caramel bits and apples.

Mix well.

I like to leave my mixer unlocked when I put chunky pieces in. 

 It lets the mixer head bounce and it keeps the chunks from getting squwarshed. . .

Dump into a greased (or sprayed) 9x13 pan.

Squwarsh.

Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes.

Cool completely and then cut into squares.

I think these might need some ice cream. . .just sayin'. . .

You can find my printable recipe here.

Ode to the Apple. . .

This is an apple. This is my FAVORITE apple. This is the apple that I am OBSESSED with. This is the apple that I do a happy dance when I see it in the stores in late September. This is the apple that I buy 10 at a time. This is the apple that I hoard in my crisper drawer. 


This is an Ambrosia apple. . .

am·bro·sia

   [am-broh-zhuh]  Show IPA

noun

1.

Classical Mythology. the food of the gods. Compare nectar(def. 3).

2.

something especially delicious to taste or smell.

It is sweet & tart. Crisp & juicy. NEVER mealy! And best of all doesn't brown easily after cutting. 

(Andrew left a bowl of slices on the counter and they were still white by the end of the day. . .

Apple Waster. SACRILEGE!!! He needs a whoopin')

As far as this girl is concerned, this apple really is the food of the gods. . . Perhaps if one were to dig deeper into my obsession one would note that I had the first bite of one of these beauties when I was pregnant with my daughter. . .that might explain a lot. I ate at least one a day throughout my pregnancy. Each year I look forward to seeing them in the stores (they are only available seasonally) and wipe a stray tear from my eyes in about March when they are gone. . .

(Side note: my daughter has eaten some form of apple almost every day of her 7 years)

Due to that first chance meeting in the Stater Brothers produce section I have cut up more than a few apples in those eight years. I would now like to share my technique. 




WARNING! This just might be life changing for some of you.

Step 1. Take an apple and a knife. . .no fancy-shmancy gadgets here.

Step 2. Cut along the core.

Step 3. Rotate the apple and cut along the core.

Step 4. Repeat.

Step 5. Repeat

Step 6. Slice. 

You might ask how this is life changing? This process takes about 30 seconds. To a mom of small kids. . .the quicker you can go from a whole apple to a sliced apple. . .the quicker you can go from this. . .

To this. . .

And this. . .

The better your life will be.

The End.


PS. If you want to learn more about the story of these apples. . .http://www.ambrosiaapples.com