We are a very trendy people.  We all have favorite sweets, but there is a seemingly never-ending attempt to come up with something new.  We have but to watch Food Network, TLC and Bravo shows to know that there are some very innovative people out there coming up with some wild and crazy concoctions that I know I would never think of on my own.  But that doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy what the ready-made world has to offer! 

One of the things I have noticed is the profusion of all things caramel apple this fall, even more so than usual.  I have a caramel apple candle that I get out every Halloween, which is the only time I allow myself to burn it, mostly because it’s so sweet but also because I don’t burn candles that much anymore.  Then I buy a caramel apple (or something with even more decadent ingredients surrounding it) when I go to Disneyland to see the park all lit up for Halloween…especially Jack at the Haunted Mansion.  I like the combination of apples and caramel any time of year, but the seasonal aspect of this is a treat, especially when I don’t even need to get out of my car to imbibe.    Ergo McDonald’s drive-thru for their Caramel Apple Sundae makes me happy.  This “portion controlled” treat – meaning not large – only set me back $1.49.

Lots of caramel, small bits of apple…yum!  I told the young man at the counter to make it pretty because I was going to take pictures.  No pressure there!  Just what a young guy behind the counter at McDonald’s wants to hear…some old lady telling him to make it look pretty!  The poor sundae started to melt while I got my camera out and started taking the pictures. 

I tried the Caramel Apple Frosty Parfait at Wendy’s today, and it didn’t hit the spot like the sundae McD’s, but I will admit that their semi-crunchy topping was yummy…I would have liked to get more of the taste of the caramel.  It was $2.19.

What I needed from this was a nice thick layer of caramel in the middle of the Frosty part.  I also preferred the smaller bites of apple – with this I almost had to pick up the slices of apple to get to the rest of the dessert.

They don’t have a drive-thru – I mean you have to work for it a little by getting out of your car and walking into the store – but the Caramel Apple Cupcake at Sprinkles is wonderful!  The caramel cream cheese frosting is to die for!  These can be had for a mere $3.50 each. 

Want to see the insides?

Come a little closer…

As much as I love Sprinkles cupcakes, they do have a flaw – the buttons (or letters or designs) are edible, but they DO NOT taste good…at all!  That would be my suggestion to the company, but somehow I know they won’t be listening AND I don’t have any better suggestions.  And I will admit that the buttons are really cute!

I have heard that there’s a Caramel Apple Cheesecake at Marie Callender’s.  I may have to make a special trip there, since the one that used to be close to our house closed.  Besides, it’s the time of year for the “cheap” pies…not that they’re cheap anymore – I am remembering way back when they used to be $5.00 for the pie and $.50 for the pie tin deposit.  Now they’re $7.99 plus tin deposit!  Yikes!

There are still more caramel things that I want to try and make…like the caramel cream cheese frosting to use on just about anything!  Maybe this weekend will be kind to me.  If you have any favorites, I would love you to share!