Caramel Apple Wedges

It's taken me 10 days to crank out all the recipes for my Fall Kick Off Dinner, ending here with Caramel Apple Wedges. The truth is, the temperatures around here in the Southwest are still over 90 degrees, so I could kick off Fall again in a month or two and still be in good shape, and maybe even have a crunchy yellow leaf or two to join in the celebration. In the meantime, dog gone it, if the calendar says its Fall, then I'm eating for Fall, even if Mother Nature is still wearing her string bikini.
Speaking of clothes, I need your help too. I'm looking for a straight, knee length-ish denim skirt. Something I could wear with high boots and a sweater to a School Board meeting, or with flip flops and a hoodie to the grocery store. Something I could cram in a suitcase and roam the streets of Rome in. Really truly-I'm going in a month from today. I know you are all cute and fashionable, so help me out before I turn into a groovy housefrau.
And still speaking of clothes, did I mention that my daughter will only wear dresses? Even on a field trip to the Farm? I buy her one pair of jeans each year, hopeful that she'll wear them on a hike, or to dig in a sandbox, or rake some leaves, or to kick a ball around in...and then the next year I give them away to a cousin with the pricetag still on them. And to think when I was her age, I wore Toughskins and had a Dorothy Hammill haircut. You really don't want to see the pictures. I'll show you her instead. And my little cowboy, too.
Where is all this chatter going? Let's get to the recipe for today: Caramel Apple Wedges. I love homemade caramel, and I love crispy apples, but when I see a big giant decorated caramel apple, it seems like an awful big commitment. All I really want is a brief love affair, a bite or two and then I'll be on my way. So I make caramel apple wedges instead. You've got to be ready to eat them quickly, since they don't store well but, golly gee whitaker, they are cute and with homemade caramel and a little sprinkle of Reese's pieces or peanuts, they're just the bite I'm looking for. Happy First Day of October.
Money Saving Tips: Making your own caramel is inexpensive. Use condensed milk for a slightly sweeter and cheaper version. Again, almost any apple is good here. I used Golden Delicious.
Caramel Apple Wedges:
Estimated Cost: $2.00 for 16 wedges
2 apples, cored, with skin, cut into 8 wedges each,
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon corn starch
For Caramel:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk or cream
pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla
Pat apples dry with paper towels. Sift a tiny smidgen of cornstarch over cut side of apples to help absorb moisture. You don't want to taste it, so don't put too much. Set aside briefly. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper and coat with no stick cooking spray.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients, except vanilla and apples. Stir until mixture boils. Reduce heat, cover with lid and cook for about five minutes, watching closely. When mixture has come together and is caramel colored, remove from heat. Spoon sa bit of caramel over each wedge. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, Reese's pieces, or whatever you desire, and place on prepared waxed paper. Eat them gooey, or store in the fridge for about 10 minutes and eat immediately after.
Coming Tomorrow:
Caramelized Onion, Brie, and Pear Crostini