Fall Apple Baking Party

This post was originally written by me and featured on MG Party Impressions.  Some of the content or images may have changed or updated.

If you’ve made a trip to your local orchard and don’t know what to do with all those bushels of crisp apples, an apple themed baking party is a great idea.

Send guests a warm and welcoming invitation that lets them know what’s in store for the event!

For an apple themed fall baking party – fill natural wood baskets with lots of freshly picked apples that guests can take home or use in their baking creations.

Since it’s harvest season, you will want to create an atmosphere that highlights the colors of the season.  I chose browns, deep reds and pops of green for the color scheme.  I love how burlap and twine tie in the look of the fall season as well.  I decorated many of my platters and stands with paper rosettes and used some of the patterned paper that came with the set to accent each one.

Make a variety of delicious desserts for your party.  We set out Apple Pecan Tarts (cups), Apple Danishes, Homemade Apple Pie, Caramel Apples and Apple Spice Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream frosting!

I found an easy-to-make apple butter recipe and using Weck tulip canning jars, created these apple butter jar favors for guests to go home with.  You can make your own apple butter using this recipe.


Using the digipaper in the set, I printed a pattern onto t-shirt transfer and ironed it to a canvas square to make fabric toppers for the jars.  This is a great way to use the digipaper for something different.  This idea would also work great for place mats, buntings and small fabric squares for sewing projects.

Wrap your party up with a few trade secrets!  A recipe exchange is another fun activity to add to your party where you can and swap cards for all the baked goods shared by your guests!

So, if you’re in a harvest kind of mood, this freshly picked baking party is a perfect way to enjoy the season!

You can find the printables for the Fall Apple Baking Party in my Esty Shop!

Ooey Gooey Caramel Apples

Today starts off week 3 and day 11 of the 13 Days of Handmade Halloween!  Today, Bethany Gist of Auntie Bea's Bakery is sharing her recipe for making Caramel Apples - YUM!

I am a sucker for a good Caramel Apple!  We are fortunate enough to live in the heart of apple counrty and we have access to the best organic fresh picked apples. As soon as Fall rolls around, we are apple pickin’ and in the kitchen making and decorating our own Caramle Apples.

Today, I’m sharing my family’s favorite Caramel Apple recipe.  I make the caramel and the kids gather all the fun toppings!

Caramel Apples aren’t as hard as you think!  I prefer to make my own caramel.  I love that I can add my own twist on flavors!  Vanilla, coconut extract, cinnamon….all equal total yumminess! Ready to dive in?

Heres’s what you need:

8-12 Apples (depending on size) washed and dried

1/4 cup of Butter

2 cups Granulated Sugar

1 cup of Light Corn Syrup

1 14oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 tsp of Extract (vanilla, coconut, maple, rum or butterscotch to name a few)

If you decide to add a spice you can add a tsp of cinnamon, pumpkin spice or cloves.

Add all your ingredients except extract and spices to a 2 quart pot.

Cook on a medium-low flame, stirring constantly until bubbling and a candy thermometer reads 250/soft ball stage.  Once it reaches this stage you will add your extract (and spices if desired).  Stir to completely incorporate.

I like to use organic apples because they don't have that waxy film on them.  That film tends to make the caramel slide off.  Make sure your apples are washed and dried and attach your sticks.  You can use heavy paper straws, pop sticks, Popsicle sticks or wooden apple sticks. Now start dipping.  I like to double dip ;)  The more caramel the better!

You will want to add your toppings as soon as you pull the apple out.  My kids picked, peanuts, milk chocolate, orange candy coating, toffee bits, Halloween sprinkles and mini chocolate chips.

After dipping and decorating, place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to set.

Now here comes the fun part…EATING THEM!  Enjoy!

Thanks, Bethany for sharing this delicious treat - can't wait to make my own!  Looking for more Handmade Halloween treats, view our archives here!