Loaded Caramel Apples with Halloween Punch

Thanks to Collective Bias I created these easy Loaded Caramel Apples and Halloween Punch that are perfect for a Halloween party. 

I love red apples. Give me a Gala, a Fuji, or a Red Delicious apple any day of the week. But green apples - not so much. They're too tart for me. But dip a Granny Smith apple in caramel and I'm there. There's something about a green apple covered in something sweet that I just love.
 Growing up, my grandma would make us caramel apples and I just loved them.  I figured there were difficult to make, so never attempted them myself. When I finally made them a few years ago, I was amazed at how easy they were.

So here is my easy recipe for delicious caramel apples and yummy Halloween punch. These are such a fun treat!

Loaded Caramel Apples

5 wooden sticks

5 Granny Smith Apples, washed and thoroughly dried

1 package caramel bits or sqaures

2 Tbsp water

Candy of your choice (I used the Twix, Snickers, M&M's & Peanut M&M's)

1. Remove the stems from the apples and then insert the wooden stick into each apple. 

2. Chop up or crush the candy into your desired size (I chopped up the Snickers & Twix and crushed the Peanut M&M's), set asside. 

3. In a microwave safe bowl, heat the caramel and water for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and stir to ensure it is thoroughly melted. 

4. Dip each apple into the caramel, spooning the caramel over the apple to cover completely. Let the excess drip off and scrap the bottom of the apple to remove any excess. Then, sprinkle with candy pieces. Set on wax paper and let set in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Halloween Punch

Mix 1 part Hawaiian Fruit Punch & 1 part 7Up in a glass filled with ice. Stir and serve.

Click HERE for a coupon to save on Mars candy,

Brownie Pudding Parfait

This Brownie Pudding Parfait was a much needed dessert at our house this week. Last week, my husband underwent an unexpected surgery and has had to stay home since then. He's doing much better now, but I know he wishes he was 100% already. I know he was really bummed to have to miss the first days back to school this week since he's a high school teacher. So to try and cheer him up - I create this Brownie Pudding Parfait with caramel & whipped cream.

And I'd like to think that my little creation worked pretty well, because he instantly perked up after indulging in it. What makes this dessert a little unique is the pudding which was made with International Delight Cold Stone Creamery Founder's Favorite creamer, which tastes of brownie, pecan, caramel, fudge & ice cream.

I don't normally drink coffee, so have not really paid attention to creamers in the past. I never thought of using creamers in another way, but it worked perfectly in the pudding. International Delight has quite a few different flavored creamers and just came out with some new Cold Stone inspired flavors - besides Founder's Favorite, there's Hot for Cookie & Churro Caramel. Don't they sound so good?!?!

Brownie Pudding Parfaits

Yields: 4 parfaits

Brownies

1 cup milk, cold

3/4 cup International Delight Cold Stone Creamery Founder's Delight creamer

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

1 can whipped cream

Caramel and/or chocolate syrup (optional)

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, creamer & vanilla pudding for 2 minutes. Let set for 5 minutes.

2. Crumble a layer of brownies into the bottom of small jar or cup (I used brownie bites already made from the bakery section of my local grocery store). Spoon 2 heaping teaspoons of pudding on top of the brownie layer. Add another layer or brownie then top again with pudding. Continue until jar has been filled to almost the top.

3. Top with whipped cream and syrups, if desired. Enjoy!

Want some more great ideas on how to use these new yummy creamers? Then, head over to International Delight's Pinterest board for lots of inspiration. And while you're over there you can enter to win $400 to throw your own ice cream social! I don't think there's much more incentive than that, right?

Love ice cream + coffee? This summer, International Delight is bringing your favorite Cold Stone Creamery ice cream flavors to coffee and they're celebrating by giving away five $400 grand prizes to throw this summer’s ultimate Ice Cream Social! To enter, visit the ID + Ice Cream Pinterest board and pin your favorite image using the #IScream4ID hashtag. Good luck!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.