Fall gatherings, football games and Halloween parties are opportunities for entertaining friends and family.
Keep your guests happy and full by providing appealing and appetizing snacks that capture the essence of the fall season.
Eye-catching pumpkin cheese balls and inside out caramel apples are impressive yet simple foods to prepare for these fall events.
Inside out caramel apples are an interesting spin off of the usual caramel apples and not as messy to eat.
These foods can be fun for kids and adults.
I personalized the pumpkin cheese ball recipe from "Southern Living 2002 Annual Recipes."
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce block extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 8-ounce container cream cheese, chive and onion
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1 broccoli stalk
Steps
1. Combine the first five ingredients in a medium bowl until blended.
2. Cover and chill for one-two hours or until the mixture is firm enough to be shaped.
3. Shape mixture into a ball to resemble a pumpkin.
4. Smooth entire outer surface with a frosting spatula or table knife and make vertical grooves.
5. Cut stalk from broccoli to make a pumpkin stem and press into the top of the cheese ball.
6. Serve the cheese ball with chips.
You can substitute the chips with crackers, fruits or vegetables.
Salsa can also be added.
Domesticfits.com provides a recipe for inside out caramel apples.
Based on that recipe, these tasty treats can be made quickly and to your own preference.
Ingredients
- 1 large lemon
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- chocolate sauce
Steps
1. Cut apples in half and use a melon baller to scoop out the insides, leaving the walls intact at about ½ to ¼ inch thickness.
2. To keep them from turning brown, squeeze the juice from the lemon onto the apples and allow to set.
3. In a saucepan over high heat add brown sugar, butter, heavy cream and corn syrup. Stir until brown sugar has dissolved.
4. Allow mixture to boil while stirring occasionally for approximately seven-10 minutes.
5. Remove the heat and add the vanilla. Stir continually until it stops bubbling.
6. Cool for approximately 10-15 minutes.
7. Using a paper towel wipe the apples removing the lemon juice as much as possible.
8. Pour caramel mixture into the hallowed out apples until just below the top and sprinkle with pecans.
9. Chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes until the caramel has set.
10. Cut the apples into slices and drizzle with chocolate sauce.
In place of pecans, you can add other nuts or toppings.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
