Spooky Black Candy Apples

We tried making these and they were great.

Spooky Black Caramel Apples from bakedbyrachel.com

Spooky homemade black caramel apples, a fun treat perfect for Halloween parties!

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp corn syrup
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1/2C granulated sugar
• 1/4C heavy cream
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 tsp McCormick black food coloring
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
2. Prepare apples: wash, dry and remove stems. Insert sticks or popsicle/craft sticks. Set aside.
3. In a medium heat proof bowl, add corn syrup, water and granulated sugar. Microwave for 5-7 minutes until mixture boils and turns a light amber color. Watch closely and remove immediately after it has reached ideal shade.
4. Stir in heavy cream, followed by salt, vanilla and food coloring. Mix until well incorporated. Finally stir in butter until smooth.
5. Immediately dip and coat one apple at a time. Tilt and rotate to coat completely. Hold over bowl with stick up, allowing excess to drip off or 10-15 seconds. Flip upside down, with stick down, letting caramel set for 15-20 seconds. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples.
6. Chill for at least 30-60 minutes to completely set caramel.
7. Can be made up to a day ahead.

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Halloween to Build Bridges

Halloween is special, it originated as a Celtic pagan festival when the souls of the dead roamed their old homes and evil spirits played tricks on the living.

But it isn't Satanic and it doesn't mean it can't be fun...for everyone.

We think Pagans have a great opportunity to remove barriers and build bridges with the rest of the world by inviting friends and neighbors to join in on the fun.

The Pagan Kitchen celebrates Samhain with our own rituals, but we also have a good time with Halloween. 

We don’t know any Pagan who celebrates Halloween conjuring up evil spirits like the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus, you probably don't either.

Yes, Halloween has pagan roots, just like most holiday’s and we're proud of that.

But these holidays can be celebrated and enjoyed by all.

LifeWay Research conducted a survey and found that 59 percent of Americans think the dark day is “all in good fun.” 14 percent will celebrate but “try to avoid the pagan elements.” 

There are those who are concerned with the holiday’s pagan roots, where  21 percent of Americans and 23 percent of Christians “try to avoid Halloween completely.”

“As popular and pervasive as Halloween has become, there is still a sizeable minority that avoids at least some elements,” says Scott McConnell, vice president of Nashville-based LifeWay  courtesy of LifeWay Research

Maybe the activities below aren’t for everyone, pick and choose the ones that interest you and have fun.