DIY Chocolate Covered Apples

These favors for your guests a easy to make and economical too.  Not to mention chocolate covered apples are tasty.gifts for your wedding guests.
Ingredients





2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 can sweet condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

24 granny smith apples (bought from Costco wholesale $7 dozen)

3 lbs. butter at Costco $7



pointed wooden round sticks at local craft store or candy making supply company online



ribbon from Costco ($8 for 50 yard roll at Costco)



Instructions

Melt the butter in a sauce pan, add the brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon over medium heat. Add the sweet condensed milk, continuing to stir. Bring the mixture to 245 degrees F. Once off the stove, add the vanilla and stir. Cool down to about 210 degrees and dip your apples or pears.



Twist off the stems on your apples and put in the wooden sticks.



Place your dipped fruit on a sheet pan which is lined with parchment paper. Let dry and then dip in melted chocolate. While the chocolate is still wet, dip in toasted coconut, chopped nuts or add pieces of candy. Place back on the parchment paper to thoroughly dry. Melt some white chocolate and place into a zip lock bag, cut the very corner off and drizzle over the apples for detailing.



Package up in clear cellophane and tie up with a pretty ribbon. These make for incredible gifts from the heart. Store in a cool place or refrigerate. To enjoy, let them sit in room temperature for 1/2 hour. Place on a cutting board and slice.

Packaged Chocolate or Caramel Pretzel Rods

Dip pretzel rods in pastel colored candy and white chocolate mini chips for spring colored pretzel favors.  Also consider dipping in caramel and rolling in white, milk and dark chocolate chips or crushed candy canes.

Eco-Chic Wedding Favors

Using the Small Zig Zag Pot from The Container Store (http://www.containerstore.com), (it looks like a cupcake wrap) add some dirt to the container, then add seeds for herbs or flowers, and a ribbon with 'thanks' written on it. If you add herbs consider adding a recipe for using them, for instance if you put seeds for basil in, then add a recipe for pesto. Just run the ribbon through the container by punching holes in it with a hole punch. The pot comes in yellow, lime green, blue, red, white and hot pink. These zig zag pots are perfect for gift baskets, party favors or - because it's food safe - creatively presenting snacks.