Earthly Eating

Candy Crunch Pudding Pie
Serves: 8

2 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4 servings size) chocolate flavored instant pudding
1 tbs (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed, and divided
2 milk chocolate English toffee candy bars (about 1.4 oz. each), chopped and divided
1 chocolate pie crust
1 square semi-sweet bakers chocolate, melted

Pour the milk into a large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with a wire whisk for 2 minutes or until well blended (mixture will be thick). Gently stir in 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping.

Reserve 3 tbs. of the candy pieces; stir remaining candy pieces into pudding mixture. Spoon into crust. Top with remaining whipped topping.

Sprinkle with reserved candy pieces; drizzle with melted chocolate. Serve immediately. Or refrigerate until ready to serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

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Caramelized Apple Cake
Serves: 10

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 5 tbs. unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices

1. Heat oven to 375°F.

2. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a medium-size bowl; set side. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat 1/2 cup of the butter in a large bowl for 1 minute or until creamy. Add granulated sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy.

3. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until blended. Reduce speed to low. Gradually blend in flour mixture, then sour cream.

4. Melt remaining 5 tbs. butter in an ovenproof 10-inch nonstick skillet. Add brown sugar; stir for 2 minutes.

5. Add apple slices to the pan and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for about 10 minutes or until tender. Let cool for 5 minutes.

6. Spoon batter over apples and spread t edge of pan. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge. Carefully invert onto a plate.
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Mint Thins
Makes: 35

1 pkg. ( 8 squares) semi-sweet baker’s chocolate squares
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers (about 35 crackers)
1 peppermint candy cane or about 5 peppermint candy rounds, crushed

Microwave the chocolate in a small microwave bowl as directed on the package. Stir until completely melted. Blend in extract.

Dip cracker sin melted chocolate, completely coating crackers with the chocolate. Carefully scrape off excess chocolate. Place on wax paper-covered baking sheets; sprinkle with crushed candy.

Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate is firm.

Earthly Eating FYI: Researchers discovered that cinnamon helps keep blood sugar levels on an even keel, which may guard against the development of type 2 diabetes. Sprinkle on oatmeal and apple slices whenever you want to get that cinnamon taste cured.
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Earthly Eating Recipe

Cheesy Pizza Dip
Makes: 2 cups

Serve with Crackers or tortilla chips.

Happy Eating!