Samoa Apple Slices {Gluten-Free}

Who can resist a Girl Scout Cookie?  Especially the Samoas, with their caramel, coconut and chocolate drizzle?  Well unfortunately I have to.  You know the whole gluten allergy bummer.  Although I hear the Girl Scouts have a new gluten-free variety in select markets.  I may have to look into that, but meanwhile I can satisfy my sweets craving with apples.  I ran across this idea using apple slices instead of cookie.  Caramel and apples are already a perfect match.  Why not add a little coconut and chocolate to the mix?  I used Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor.  I like to pretend these are slightly healthier than a cookie because you know, fruit.  The addition of chocolate and caramel might cancel that out, but we will pretend they don't.  Now you can enjoy the flavor of Girl Scout Cookies when it's not cookie selling season, and if you're gluten-free like I am then you won't miss out either.

The ideal substitute for a cookie.
Bonus:  Gluten-Free!

Slice the apples into 1/4-inch slices

Use a small circle cutter to create a ring shape.

Combine caramel sauce and coconut.

Spoon onto apple rings.

Drizzle with melted chocolate.

Enjoy!

Samoa Apple Slices

3 Granny Smith Apples
1 cup caramel sauce
1 cup coconut flakes
2 squares chocolate almond bark

Slice apples into 1/4-inch slices.  Use a small circle cutter (I actually used a very large icing tip) to remove the center of the apple and create a donut shape.  In a small bowl, combine the caramel sauce and coconut.  Spoon mixture onto each apple slice.  In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate squares in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between until fully melted  Drizzle melted chocolate onto apple slices and serve. 

Prep Time:  Approximately 20 minutes     Cook Time: 0

Banana Crumb Muffins + FREE Valentine's Day Printable

Valentine's Day is here and it's time for another sweet treat for the people I love!  Last year I made Homemade Red Hot Applesauce, and I had in my head this year I wanted to give jars of homemade jam with tags that said, "Valentine-You're My Jam!" but time got away from me and it turns out canning homemade jam WAS NOT my jam this year.  (Spoiler alert for next year's Valentines) I ran into Dollar Tree for a Diet Coke and found these cutest little glassine treat bags with monkeys on them.  Inspiration!  I knew I could whip up a banana-themed Valentine treat in no time, and BANANA CRUMB MUFFINS were born.  As it turns out, these were even better than jam, as Mr. DD loves anything banana!  I made 10 dozen mini muffins yesterday, and if he wasn't my Valentine I might have been mad for how many he kept sneaking.  These delightful little bites have the perfect cake texture and flavorful crumb topping with just a hint of cinnamon.  They are great for breakfast or a snack and of course they make a tasty Valentine for anyone you happen to be BANANAS about!

Go BANANAS over your Valentine
and whip up a batch of
BANANA CRUMB MUFFINS because you
love them BUNCHES!

The addition of the crumb topping
really makes these tasty!

Cool completely on a cooling rack
before packaging.

Piles of muffins for my Valentines!

The perfect little golden bite
of banana-deliciousness

Here are my monkey bags...

Add my FREE Printable gift tags
to complete the theme.

Click on the image to enlarge.
Right click and save to your computer.
Open with the software of your choice
and print onto cardstock.

Happy Valentine's Day from
The Devilish Dish!

German Chocolate Turnovers

Every time my parents celebrate their wedding anniversary I bake them a sweet treat.  It's usually something with coconut which I don't like, but they love.  In the past I've made them Hawaiian Wedding Cupcakes and Mounds Brownies. My dad's true favorite however is German Chocolate Cake.  Back in October, my pal Jennifer from Take Two Tapas posted a recipe for German Chocolate Wontons.  Basically a sinful little bite of deliciousness full of German Chocolate Frosting.  Isn't that the best part?  Jennifer fried up her little wontons in a bit of oil for the most gorgeous little nugget.  (Her blog Take Two Tapas features great food in small portions, and some of the cutest little bite-sized treats you'll ever see.)  Keep in mind my folks are from small town Oklahoma, celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary so they aren't really wonton eaters lol.  And keep in mind I'm not much of a fryer of foods because I hate the smell and mess because I'm lazy like that.  I decided to adapt Jennifer's recipe using frozen Phyllo dough and the result was amazing.  I had a platter full of gorgeous golden brown turnovers, filled with rich, caramel-like German Chocolate frosting flavor.  My mother said they were to die for.  If you're looking for German Chocolate Cake flavor with a twist, you'll love these as much as my parents did!

A rich, over the top twist on a traditional treat!

Gooey caramel-like coconut frosting
and chocolate chips create the filling.

Fold each phyllo square to create a triangle.
Press the edges closed and brush with an egg wash.

Bake until puffy and golden.

Cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!
Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

GERMAN CHOCOLATE TURNOVERS

Adapted from: Take Two Tapas


For the Frosting:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

For the Turnovers:
1 box frozen Phyllo dough, thawed
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 egg, beaten
powdered sugar for garnish
1 recipe German Chocolate Frosting (above)

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugars, evaporate milk, butter, vanilla, egg yolks and salt.  Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly approximately 15-20 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken but isn't boiling.  Remove the thickened mixture from the heat and stir in the coconut and pecans.  Allow mixture to cool completely before preparing the turnovers.

To make the turnovers:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.  Cut each piece of phyllo dough into 4 even squares.  (You should have 8 squares total.) Spread about 2 tablespoons of filling onto each square of dough.  Sprinkle each evenly with chocolate chips.  Fold one corner of the dough over to create a triangle shape.  Press edges closed to seal.  Brush each turnover with beaten egg and bake until the layers of the dough start to rise and separate and the crust is golden brown.  Approximately 20 minutes.   Garnish each turnover with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Prep Time:  Approximately 30 minutes     Bake Time:  Approximately 20 minutes

Little Beers for the Big Game

The 53rd Super Bowl is coming up this weekend, and I've got the perfect LITTLE drink for the BIG game!  A while back, a friend introduced me to this delicious Licor 43 shot which has quickly become my new favorite beverage (watch for upcoming cocktail posts) When I said, "This is so good what do you call it?" she said, "I don't know, we've always called them Little Beers." So shout out to my pal Taylor and Syracuse, NY as credit for this post.  Now you know I'm a big tailgater and college football fan, and I can't wait to bring this tasty shot to the OU campus this fall.  But you don't have to wait until college football starts to enjoy a Little Beer, (which incidentally isn't beer at all.  It's simply Licor 43 and heavy whipping cream) you can start this weekend with the Super Bowl. I've only ever been to one NFL game (Cowboys vs. Lions) but Jack at BroBBQ.com has The Ultimate Guide to Tailgating Super Bowl 53.  Jack has extensive information regarding all things grilling and barbecue, including delicious recipes that will come in handy not only this weekend, but year round for this sports fan!  Be sure and check out his page for some mouthwatering 'cue to enjoy with your Little Beers!

"Whether you love light and fruity cocktails,
delicious creamy serves or sweet short drinks,
Licor 43 blends perfectly with almost anything."