My S.O. has been after me to create some variations on the Peanut Butter Caramel Chewy recipe that I use to make Christmas wreaths, Easter Egg Nests and other treats. After all, the recipe lends itself nicely to a host of fun and interesting additions.
So since we’re in the midst of fall and caramel apple season, I thought it would be a great idea to combine the two!
But the experimentation process proved to be a bit more involved than I had anticipated. I knew that using fresh apples would leave the mixture too gooey, so I settled on dried apples instead. But merely adding the apples caused the mixture to get hard and dry, because the dried apples were soaking up every extra ounce of moisture.
That lead to Batch No. 2–rehydrating the apple. Guess what? Way too soft!
Batch No. 3–cooking the mixture longer. I ended up with a chewy that was more of the texture of a Butterfinger candy bar (although not a bad prospect!).
Back to the drawing board. For all the previous batches, I had been cooking the apples in the syrup, so I decided to pat the apples dry after rehydrating them and add them at the end with the cereal. I had also noticed that adding the dried apples made the mixture too sweet, so I replaced lemon juice as part of the rehydrating liquid. Perfect!
In the meantime, friends, family and neighbors got all the rejects, after I made them promise not to send me any dental bills, ha.
- 1 cup diced dried apple
- 3 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 5¼ cups Special K cereal
- Toss apples with lemon juice and water and set aside to rehydrate for 5 minutes. Then pat off excess liquid with a paper towel. Heat sugar, corn syrup and cinnamon in a large pan on medium high heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and stir in peanut butter. Add apples and cereal and mix until well coated. Drop by large blobs onto wax paper and shape into balls. After the the balls have set for a few minutes, place a stick down through the middle. Wait another 20-30 minutes before serving. Decorate with ribbons and/or wrap in cellophane, if giving as gifts. But save at least one for yourself!
Watch video here:
Can’t see video? Watch it here: Caramel Apple Chewies
Linked to these fabulous parties.
Featured here:
Mom always said it is nice to share!
Hi there! These goodies caught my eye! I am currently in love with everything caramel and apple! Thanks for creating this wonderful recipe!
Thanks, Cynthia! I know what you mean about loving all things caramel apple. That’s one of the reasons I love this time of year!
Where do you get your dried apples?
Hi, I find dried apples in my local grocery store, in the produce section with other dried fruit, such as raisins, apricots, etc. I have also found them in health food stores. Usually they come in slices and then I dice them with a knife or cut them with scissors.
How interesting! I’ve had the peanut butter version of this, but never the with the apple cinnamon. Sounds good! Thanks for linking up with me for Friday Favorites!
Yum! Great recipe for fall!
Thanks, Madge! Don’t you just love fall recipes?
Found your recipe at Foodie Friends Friday – and I have have have to try this! Yum! 🙂
Thanks Heather, let me know how they turn out!
These look so good! I’m drooling 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon!
I love the idea of using dried apples and mixing it with all that heavenly goodness. I would have never thought of it. 🙂 What a fun fall recipe!
I would love to have you stop by ‘Or so she says…’ today and share some of your great ideas with my readers! The ‘Your Great Idea’ link party runs every Sat through Tuesday. Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
* Also, we’ve got a great giveaway going on with over $500 in prizes!
Thanks for the invite Mariel. You have a great collection of ideas there!
That recipe puts a different slant on traditional toffee apples. I think I prefer your version, it sounds really scrummy.
Yum, yum, yum! These look SO insanely delicious.
I love this seasons flavours. Interesting spin on a classic.
Oh yum. These sound absolutely wonderful!!!
I hope you will share these at The CSI project starting tonight! The challenge is Fall Food and this is perfect! I am pinning and trying soon!!!
Come on over! Link ups begin tonight around 8.
http://www.thecsiproject.com
Sounds good, Dee. I’ll stop by there tonight. Thanks for the invite!
How interesting – I’ve never seen anything like these. They look super tasty!
These look fantastic! And I loved your jazzy piano music in the video! :>)
I love your recipe! Thanks for sharing it with us at Cast Party Wednesday!
~Sheryl~
They look gorgeous! I can almost taste them through the screen 🙂
Thank you for sharing at Foodie Friends Friday!
Jutta
Hi Sherry K,
We are going to love these! Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
These look so yummy!! I cannot wait to try these. I love caramel apples and these look so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent! I am so thrilled and honored to have you. I am featuring this awesome recipe this week. The new party will be up very soon. I’m also your newest follower. So glad I found your great blog. 🙂
Thanks so much for introducing yourself and thank YOU for featuring my recipe! You are too kind. I look forward to visiting your blog each week and seeing what everybody has brought to the party.
Wow, these looks super scrumptious! Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share this week! Have a wonderful week.
Michelle
Oh Sherry! These look fantastic! What a great recipe! Thank you so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout. Hope to see you back tonight!
Thanks so much for linking up to Tasty Thursdays on The Mandatory Mooch. I loved this recipe so much that it will be featured this week. The party will be live tonight!! Thanks, Nichi http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com
Bless your heart Nichi, thanks so much for featuring my recipe! And thanks for hosting every week–love it!
Good morning, Sherry K! I’m stopping by to let you know that your project will be featured at this week’s It’s Fall Y’all ~ Linky Party. I can’t wait to see what you share this week. 🙂
Thank you SO much, Jamie! I am so flattered. And thanks for hosting your party each week. I love it!
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your new Red Plate.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you, Miz Helen! I am so tickled. It was my first time to link up at your party, but I will definitely be back. Thanks for hosting!
Also featuring this recipe on my Facebook page today. Thanks!! Nichi
http://www.facebook.com/TheMandatoryMooch
Thanks Nichi, I will share it on mine too!
How yummy and simple! Thanks for sharing at Sweet Saturday!
Thank you for sharing your recipe. These sound and look so yummy. Do these taste a lot like peanut butter. I love peanut butter cookies, but not much more that involves peanut butter. I want to make these due to the title Caramel Apples Chewies, I love, love anything Caramel Apples? Thank you.
Hi Mona, these do have quite a bit of peanut butter flavor. If you make them, let me know how they turn out–thanks!
Nice twist!! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday linky party!
Jenny
http://www.inthekitchenwithjenny.com
I wanted to stop by and let you know that your Caramel Apple Chewies recipe has been the hit of my Link Party this week. Thanks for stopping by and sharing! Be sure to check back at Dial M for Moms on Monday. Love for you to share another decadent dessert. -Deb (DialMforMoms.com)
How cool, thanks for letting me know Deb! Thanks for letting us show our wares each week.
These are awesome! Lett ing you know that your recipe is being featured from Keep Calm and Cook On – September (Apple) edition over at Addicted to Recipes! http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.ca/2013/10/keep-calm-and-cook-on-september-features.html
Thank you so much! What an honor!
Two chewy treats! Love it. Pinned!
These are awesome! Thanks for sharing at Saturday Dishes.
Hope you will bring them to What’d You Do This Weekend. Goes live at midnight Sunday.
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
Thanks for the reciepe! Family and friends loved them !