Autumn Apples

Aren't these Autumn Apples a sight to behold? My question is which do you prefer....Candied Apples or Caramel? Bobbing for apples has long been associated with Hallowe'en parties, but when did candy and caramel apples come into fashion and become a staple of the Halloween season? Apples themselves are harvested and sold at stands aross the country every Fall, so the Apple/Autumn connection is a given. But what of the melding of these succulent red globes with caramel and candied sugar? Well apparently, "food historians generally agree that toffee apples (aka taffy apples, caramel candied apples, candy apples, lollipop apples) probably date to the late 19th century, although difficult to prove in print. Culinary evidence confirms a variety of recipes, from hard colored sugar to soft chewy caramel coating."

Who knew these tasty treats had been around for so long? As for my own preference...you all should know me well enough to know that I think EVERYTHING tastes better when smothered in chocolate....ha! And these beauties look so delicious, I may just have to break down and make some. Or I could just be lazy, cut my apple up and dip it in a jar of hot fudge...so much easier! I can assure you however, that I WON'T be bobbing for them in a tub of ice cold water that everyone else has been sticking their slobbery lil' mouths in! Halloween tradition or not...Yuck!