Five Food Finds about Caramel Apples:

• Caramel apples (sometimes called taffy apples) are made by dipping apples, on a stick, in hot caramel.

• For caramel apples in high production, a sheet of caramel can be wrapped around the apple and then heated to melt the caramel evenly onto it.

• The most commonly preferred apples used in making caramel apples are tart, crisp apples such as Granny Smith or Fuji apples.

• Caramel apples are enjoyed by millions of people, young and old, across the nation.

• This holiday has been perfectly coordinated to coincide with Halloween as that is the most popular time that caramel apples are made and shared.

Caramel Apple Cake recipe

....................................................
YIELD:  Makes 16 servings
....................................................

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3-1/2 cups diced peeled apples
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

CARAMEL ICING:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup light cream
1/4 cup butter or margarine
Dash salt
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Chopped walnuts, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, combine oil and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine dry ingredients; add to batter and stir well. Fold in apples, walnuts and vanilla. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. tub pan. Bake at 325° for 1-1/2 hours or until cake tests done. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, heat brown sugar, cream, butter and salt until sugar is dissolved. Cool to room temperature. Beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth; drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with nuts if desired.