Things to Make - Salted Apple Caramel Popsicles

I know it seems a little late in the year for a popsicle post, but I just checked out People's Pops: 55 Recipes for Ice Pops, Shave Ice, and Boozy Pops from Brooklyn's Coolest Pop Shop from the library and since it includes an autumn chapter, I figured I had to try some out. (By the way, I can't say enough wonderful things about this book, I want to try them all).

If you thought that popsicles were pretty much for children (which, I'll admit, I thought), then this recipe will blow your mind. Better the a caramel apple. Better than caramel candy (even the gourmet kind). Just perfect. Especially as the leaves fall around you. But be prepared, these are ADDICTIVE.

SALTED APPLE CARAMEL POPSICLES (from People's Pops: 55 Recipes for Ice Pops, Shave Ice, and Boozy Pops from Brooklyn's Coolest Pop Shop)

INGREDIENTS:
* 4 apples (cored)
* organic cane sugar (2/3 cup & 1/2 cup)
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* 1/4 teaspoon of salt

1. First make Simple Syrup - Combine 2/3 cup cane sugar with 2/3 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and let cool.

2. Next make the Salted Caramel - Place 1/2 cup of sugar in a heavy saucepan and melt until it darkens to amber (if the caramel becomes mahogany, the taste turns bitter). Add the butter and stir. Immediately after the butter melts, remove from the stove and gradually add the cream (VERY SLOWLY). Add salt. If the mixture cools into a solid, then microwave it to soften.

3. Next prepare the apples - Cut the apples into a large dice and place them in a nonreactive saucepan (with skins still on). Add about 1/4 cup of water to the bottom (so the apples don't burn). Cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes (until the apples soften). Then puree them in a food processor. Strain to remove the peels.

4. Transfer the apples to a bowl and stir in the simple syrup and caramel.

5. Pour into ice pop molds.

6. Freeze.

* Makes 6-8 popsicles.