SPICED CARAMEL BREAD

What a great way to use caramels, besides just eating them.  "lol"  And with the apples in this cake, it almost makes it a "healthy" snack.  Just kidding of course, but a woman can dream, can't she?!

SPICED CARAMEL BREAD

Makes:  1 loaf (9"x5")
Prep Time:  15 minutes
Baking Time:  1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

25 caramels, unwrapped, cut into four pieces each using kitchen shears, tossed in 2 T. of flour in a small bowl (this keeps them from sticking together)
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour (divided)
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups 10X (confectioners) sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 can of apple pie filling (21 oz.)


Directions:

Cut the apples in the pie filling into thirds, set aside.  With a mixer, blend the butter, sugar and vanilla until the mix is fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one.  Mix together the flour and spices in another bowl.  Add these dry ingredients to the butter mix and blend well.  With a wooden spoon, add the apples and caramels.  Pour this mix into a prepared (sprayed with cooking spray) loaf pan.

Bake your bread for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until it tests clean when a toothpick is inserted in the center of the loaf.  Cool the bread completely on a wire rack before removing it from the pan.

Serve with your favorite tea or coffee or milk (in my case), and enjoy!

Take a couple friends with you on a picnic!  Load up this beautiful picnic basket with your bottle of wine and favorite foods and head for a park to enjoy the sunset!