Apple Cinnamon Syrup

This is pretty tasty.  You don't need much on your pancake, because of the sweetness.  Make you don't let it boil at to high of a heat or it will become crystalized.  So yummy on pancakes.

APPLE CINNAMON SYRUP
(Serves 8)

Ingredients:
*1/4 cup white sugar
*3/4 cup light brown sugar
*2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
*3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
*1 cup water
*1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces (optional)
*1/2 tablespoon butter

Directions:
~Stir the 1/4 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon together in a small saucepan.
~Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup water.
~Add 1 chopped apple.
~Bring to a boil, over medium heat, stirring often.
~Continue to boil and stirring until syrup has thickened to syrup consistency.
~Remove from heat.
~Stir in 1/2 tablespoon butter.
~Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Cranberry Relish

Whenever I make things with cranberries I think of my friend Adam, who loves cranberries.    This recipe is a lot like my friend Denise's recipe.   She serves her's on cream cheese, so I thought I'd try that.   Super yummy!

CRANBERRY RELISH

Ingredients:
*1 cup water
*3/4 cup white sugar
*2 granny smith apple, peeled, cored & chopped
*1 orange, peeled, seeded & chopped
*zest of lemon
*1 (12 ounce) bag fresh cranberries
*1 cup raisins
*1 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions:
~Combine 1 cup water, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 (12 ounce) fresh cranberries in a medium pot.
~Bring water to a boil, and the cranberries start to pop open.
~Bring the heat down to a simmer.
~Add 2 peeled and corned apples, 1 peeled & chopped orange, and zest from 1 lemon.
~Simmer for 20 minutes.
~Remove from heat.
~Add 1 cup raisins and 1 cup walnuts.
~Chill

Make it an appetizer and serve over a block of cream cheese and with crackers (ritz Christmas crackers would be pretty awesome).

Spiced Oyster Crackers

This snack is so easy to make.   I don't make them often just for the reason I eat to many of them.   I will tell you that in my opinion, you must buy 'Nabisco Oyster Crackers" to make this recipe the best it can be.   I think the off brand, are rather bland.

SPICED OYSTER CRACKERS

Ingredients:

*1 (1 ounce) package of ranch-style dressing mix
*1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper (optional)
*1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
*dash teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
*1 (9 ounce) package oyster crackers (use a good quality one)

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
~Combine the ranch dressing mix, dill weed, vegetable oil, lemon pepper, garlic powder & cayenne pepper in a large bowl.
~Add oyster crackers, toss to coat well.
~Spread crackers evenly on a cookie sheet.
~Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring gently every 5 minutes.
~Remove from oven, and cool before serving.
~Store in a zip-loc bag.

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Mock Payday Candy Bar

One of my favorite candy bars, would be a 'Payday'.  Love that caramely nutty goodness.   This here I personally think is even better than the store bought ones.  So fresh and good.

MOCK PAYDAYS
(makes 8)

Ingredients:
*5 caramel squares, unwrapped
*1/4 cup whole milk
*1 teaspoon creamy peanut butter
*1 tablespoon light corn syrup
*1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*3/4 cup powdered sugar
*25 caramel squares, unwrapped
*1 tablespoon water
*1/4 cup powdered sugar
*2 cups peanuts, chopped lightly

Directions:
~Combine 5 caramel squares, milk, 1 teaspoon peanut butter, 1 tablespoon corn syrup and 1/2 teaspoon  vanilla exact  into a medium saucepan.
~Cook over low heat until the caramels have melted.
~Add 3/4 cup powdered sugar and stir well.
~Using a candy thermometer, cook caramel mixture until it reaches 230 degrees, stirring often.
~Remove from heat.
~Let cool for about 5 minutes.
~Add 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and mix with a mixer for about 2 minutes.
~Let mixture cool for 20 minutes.
~Divide candy into 8 equal pieces.
~Form each section into 4 inch logs or balls.
~Place logs on wax paper and allow to cool for 1 hour.
~In a double boiler, add remaining caramels and water.
~Melt until smooth.
~Remove from heat, but keep the hot water under the melted caramel (so it doesn't get hard).
~Using a pastry brush, coat the logs/balls with the hot caramel.
~Place peanuts into a shallow dish.
~Roll logs in peanuts.  If there are area's where the peanuts do not cover the log, apply more caramel and stick roll back into peanuts.
~Allow to cool completely before serving.