Caramel Day - April 5

Okay, so Kristin let me write this post today. It’s because she’s my sweetie and probably because I begged - a lot! Today we’re talking about one of my favorite sweets - Caramel! And actually in a couple days, April 5, around the country people will be celebrating caramel day. Or, at least they should be. ​

For starters, caramel is awesome. It’s chewy, gooey, sweet, buttery, and when you dip fruit into it, that fruit tastes even better. Sure, I could end the blog with just that statement, but then I wouldn’t have an excuse to run out to my favorite grocery and candy stores in the area to do a little investigation. What am I investigating? Well, it’s my personal opinion on my favorite caramel treats!

So, I did think of ranking my favorite caramel treats, but when I started it became apparent that was an impossible task. Each of these candies and treats is a favorite for a different reason. One might be a nostalgic memory of my childhood and another is a way to fend off hunger as it quietly melts away in my mouth over time. But, out of dozens of caramel candies and treats I could find these eight are so great! And yes, I picked eight so I could rhyme them in the last sentence. ​

Werther’s Original: It’s funny, I don’t remember growing up with Werther’s Originals in my pocket or sucking on them as a kid, but they have been around since 1903 and of all the candies on this list, and possibly ever, Werther’s Originals make me feel like a kid skipping down the street in the early 1900s. It is a subtle sweetness that makes me feel all creamy and buttery inside. ​

Caramel popcorn: Remember those popcorn buckets as a kid that split cheese, butter and caramel corn? Well, I scarfed down the caramel before anyone even knew it was there. And one of my favorite pleasures today is knowing that the local AMC theater over in Brentwood now carries caramel popcorn. Delish!

Apples dipped in caramel: I want you to stay tuned to this one because we have a surprise at the end of the blog. Apples dipped in caramel may be known as a Fall treat - think Halloween - but for me, I could dig in anytime of the year. Now you can find small buckets of caramel in the fruit section of the grocery specifically for dipping your slices of apples. ​

Ghirardelli Milk chocolate in Caramel: San Francisco is home to Ghirardelli chocolates, and what better way to say “I love you” than to split one of these chocolate squares in half and lick the gooey caramel off your loved one’s finger? Too much? Okay, you don’t need to share, but it’s a great way to get brownie points.

Caramel Apple Pops: No apples? No problem. Caramel Apple Pops are a great way to get through the day and the pops last a surprisingly long time. They strangely taste a lot like caramel apples and wisely the company has both golden delicious and red macintosh apple flavors. ​

Caramel drizzle: Am I cheating here? Maybe! While most everything on this list is a specific item, I couldn’t help but list caramel drizzle. You see us use drizzle on several of our Toastilla desserts, we love it on ice cream and people around the world drizzle their fried and baked dessert breads. To be honest, I don’t mind a little drizzle drizzling down my fingers or face. It makes me feel like I’m fully vested in my dessert. ​

Riesen: Okay, stop the presses! There is a Reason that Riesen is all season - one of my favorite candies. Chocolate, caramel, and you have the option to go chewy or simply savor the candy melting in your mouth over the next five minutes. Ah! I need to go get another bag already!

Chewy caramels: I’m going to be straight with you here. Those square-shaped chewy caramels aren’t my favorite candy to pop in my mouth. Sure, they taste pretty good. And they are one of the most nostalgic candies on this list. But, for me, I find they are the ultimate melting caramel. And for some reason - I won’t stun you with my conspiracy theories on it - these candies seem to improve 100-fold when they’re melted. Whatever happens, I love it, and I’m guessing you do too!

Now you know my favorite caramel candies, and we'd love to hear yours. In the meantime, here is a tasty Toastilla recipe for all you caramel lovers out there!

Caramel Apple Toastilla

Ingredients:

• Tortilla
• Apple
• Caramel squares
• Toasted and chopped pecans
• Cinnamon

I like to dice up my apples for this recipe, but you can slice them as well. Before adding to the tortilla I sprinkle cinnamon onto the apple and mix it up a little.

Once the cinnamon and apple is mixed add the mixture to your tortilla. Slice the caramel squares in halves or quarters and sprinkle on the apple mixture. Then sprinkle the pecans.

Fold and toast for one cycle.

You’re going to have to trust me on this one. The caramel is going to be super hot. You know how I like to rip my Toastilla’s in half with my fingers. Well, I think I still have the scald marks. Seriously, I grabbed them right out of the toaster - a bit excited - and ripped them open. Ouch! So, you’ll want to give it a minute. Most of my family likes to slice these in half to eat them along with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream - drizzled, of course!