The recipes below will be a hit for any Fall family gathering and of course for your favorite trick or treaters.

Ingredients and Recipe for Popcorn Balls

2 quarts of popped popcorn

1 six ounce can of mixed nuts or nuts of your choice

4 cups light brown sugar (firmly packed)

1 cup corn syrup (light)

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

1/2 cup water

Put the popcorn and nuts into a 8-quart pot. In another large heavy bottomed pot, combine the remaining ingredients. Bring to a full boil and remain cooking over a medium heat until the temperature reaches between 285 and 290 degrees on a candy thermometer. Pour this mixture over the popcorn and nuts and mix gently until the entire popcorn/nut mixture is fully coated.

Roll the mixure into 2-inch balls and set on waxed paper or aluminum foil to cool.

Wrap each ball individually in cellophane or plastic. The popcorn balls are best if eaten within two days.

To pass out to trick or treaters, wrap balls in black or orange cellophane and close with coordinating ribbons.

This batch yields 24 popcorn balls

Another Fall Pleaser

5 medium apples

50 caramel candies

Wooden Sticks

Start by washing and drying the apples. Remove the stems.

Insert the stick into the stem end of each apple.

The hardest part (not really, just patience) is unwrapping all the caramels and placing them into a 2 quart pot over a low heat.

Add the water next and stir until the caramel are all melted and smooth. This process shoul take about 5 minutes.

Slowing dip the apples, one at a time into the caramel, turning until coated all over.

Place the dipped apples onto waxed paper or aluminum foil which has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray to cool.

Keep apples covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Before serving from refrigerator, leave at room temperature for about 10 minutes before eating.

Enjoy!!!

Red Delicious.........sweet, crisp

Granny Smith..........sweet, tart

Rome Beauty..........slightly tart, firm

Gala....................... sweet, crisp

Jonagold.................sweet, tart, crisp

McIntosh................ tart, tender

Gravenstein...........sweet, tart, crisp

Pippin....................slightly tart, firm