Eating well

No-trick treats

I love Halloween night and handing out candy to the neighborhood ghouls, ghosts and princesses that ring the doorbell. I also enjoy preparing special snacks for friends and family who come to hang out for a while. I've learned that I won't get tricked if I share great treats.

Try one or all of these no-trick treats for a safe and happy Halloween.

Caramel Apple Cookies

Filling:

1/3 cup finely chopped unpeeled apple

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Dough:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt

Topping:

1 (14-ounce) package caramels

2/3 cup evaporated milk

Toothpicks

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions: In small saucepan combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl combine flour and salt. Gradually stir into the creamed mixture and beat well.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Flatten and place 1/4 teaspoon filling in center of each. Fold dough over filling and reshape the balls. Place 1-inch apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake in 350-degree F. oven 12 to 15 minutes or till lightly browned. Remove to wire rakes to cool.

For the topping, place caramels and evaporated milk in a small saucepan over low heat and stir till caramels are melted and smooth. Place a toothpick in each cookie and dip into caramel and coat completely, allowing excess to drip off. Dip bottom in nuts and allow to cool on wire racks lined with parchment or waxed paper. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Fluffernutter Treats

96 round buttery snack crackers

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup marshmallow creme

2 pounds milk chocolate candy coating, melted

Directions: Spread half the crackers with the peanut butter. Spread remaining crackers with the marshmallow. Place cream side down onto the peanut butter crackers forming a sandwich.

Melt chocolate over simmering water or in the microwave according to package directions. Dip sandwiches in the chocolate allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined pans. If decorating for Halloween, place a piece of candy corn on top or sprinkle with jimmies. Refrigerate 15 minutes or till set. Makes 4 dozen.

Cinnamon Apple

Snack Mix

(Make this easy and tasty snack in the microwave.)

5 cups square wheat cereal

1 cup lightly salted whole almonds

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 T. light corn syrup

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 cup chopped dried apples

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt-covered raisins

Directions: In large microwaveable bowl mix cereal and almonds. In a 2 cup glass, measure microwave butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and cinnamon, uncovered on High about 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until mixture is boiling; stir. Pour over cereal mixture and stir to coat evenly. Microwave uncovered on High another 3 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after each minute. Stir in apples and microwave uncovered on High about 2 minutes or until apples just begin to brown on edges.

Spread hot mixture on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 5 minutes. Place in serving bowl and stir in yogurt raisins. Store in an airtight container. Makes 8 cups.