A favorite treat served at fall parties, but don't let that stop you from enjoying them all-year round!

Chocolate Dipped Caramel Apples

5 medium-sized tart apples, washed, thoroughly dried

5 wooden sticks
1 14-ounce) package soft caramel candies, unwrapped

2 tablespoons water
3/4 cup chopped salted peanuts
2/3 cup milk chocolate, semisweet chocolate or white chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable shortening

1. Insert 1 wooden stick into stem end of each apple.
2. Microwave caramels and water in a deep microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Dip apples into hot caramel mixture; turn until well coated. Scrape excess caramel mixture from bottoms of apples. Roll bottom halves in peanuts. Place on wax paper-lined and greased cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile microwave chocolate and shortening in deep microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Drizzle chocolate decoratively over apples. Let stand on prepared cookie sheet until chocolate is firm.

Makes 5 servings.