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Apple and Pear Crisp

Take a fun twist on the classic apple crisp this fall by adding pears and a fun combination of spices that will delight your tastebuds and get you in the mood for fall weather. Add some vanilla ice cream for the perfect touch to one of our favorite fall recipes.

Braces-Friendly Halloween Recipes

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

For Parents with Kids in Braces:

Don’t let braces slow you down this Halloween. Try these fun and braces-safe recipes for your family.

HALLOWEEN DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SPOOKY IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD WEAR BRACESTry These Simple and Quick Braces-Friendly Recipes for You and Your Family and Listen to Screams of Delight this Halloween

There’s no time busier for the orthodontist than the day after Halloween. Often, the candy and treats enjoyed by so many during the Trick-Or-Treat holiday wreak havoc on the braces of children and adults.

To avoid costly repairs at the orthodontic office and to keep your tooth and jaw alignment treatment on time, be sure to monitor what you or your child eat this Halloween.

As a general rule of thumb, if it’s too hard, sticky or chewy – avoid it this holiday season. Anything you can’t easily break between your fingers is too hard for your braces.

If you still want to have fun this Halloween and enjoy some treats that won’t put a scare into your braces, try these simple, fast and fun recipes for the entire family.

Whether its a traditional apple crisp with a twist that adds pears, or a fun candy corn cupcake recipe, your friends and family will enjoy these Halloween-themed treats that are safe for braces but still delicious.

And, if it’s been more than 6 months since your last trip to the dentist, this is an excellent time for a dental checkup before you put your teeth to the test this Halloween.

FIVE FAST AND EASY BRACES-

FRIENDLY RECIPES THIS HALLOWEEN

SEASON

Dustin Burleson, DDS

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APPLE & PEAR CRISPFall’s favorite fruits unite to make this comfort dessert extra special. Using Super Spice cinnamon in both the fruit mixture and the topping gives the dish a rich, deep flavor.

Ingredients (Serves: 6)Serving Size: 3/4 cup2 apples, peeled and sliced2 firm ripe pears, peeled and sliced1 tablespoon lemon juice1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract2 tablespoons cornstarch2 teaspoons McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar1/2 cup flour1/2 cup quick-cooking oats1 teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into pieces

Directions20 mins prep time. 45 mins cook time

Preheat oven to 350°F. For the Filling, toss apple and pear slices with lemon juice and vanilla in large bowl. Mix cornstarch and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in small bowl. Sprinkle over fruit; toss to coat well. Spoon into 11x7-inch baking dish sprayed with no stick cooking spray.

For the Topping, mix brown sugar, flour, oats and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly over fruit.

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until fruit is tender and topping is golden brown.Ap

ple &

Pea

r Cris

p Delicious Pears and Apples with a Crumble Topping

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Candy Corn CupcakesInspired by Halloween’s signature candy, these bright cupcakes feature vibrant layers of orange and yellow cake topped with creamy white frosting and sprinkles.

Ingredients (Makes 24 (1 cupcake) servings):1 package white cake mix2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla ExtractAssorted Food Colors & Egg Dye1 Container (16 oz.) vanilla frostingAssorted decorations, such as yellow and orange sprinkles, colored sugar and candy corn

30 mins prep time20 mins cook time

DirectionsPrepare cake mix as directed on package, adding vanilla. Divide batter in half. Tint one batch yellow with 1/3 teaspoon yellow food color. Tint second batch orange with 1/4 teaspoon yellow food color and 1/8 teaspoon red food color.

Fill each paper-lined muffin cup 1/3 full with yellow batter. Gently add orange batter on top of yellow batter, filling each muffin cup 2/3 full. Bake as directed on package for cupcakes. Cool cupcakes on wire rack.

Decorate as desired with sprinkles, colored sugar and candy corn.

Candy Corn Cupcakes

One of Halloween’s most popular treats takes on a new twist this year with the Candy Corn Cupcake. Even if you don’t like the traditional candy, the presentation and taste of these cupcakes is so good that you can’t help but become a big fan of candy corn cupcakes. Serve with a fresh glass of local Shatto milk for a delicious treat any time of day.

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Caramel Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars

Prepare this updated rendition of the classic bar cookie for the holiday dessert table or cookie exchanges.

Ingredients (Serves: Makes 24 (1 bar) servings)2 cups flour2 cups old fashioned oats1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground3/4 teaspoon McCormick® Ginger, Ground1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground1 cup (2 stick) butter, melted1 cup canned pumpkin1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract7 ounces (1/2 of 14-ounce package) caramels, unwrapped2 tablespoons milk

15 mins Prep time35 mins Cook time

DirectionsPreheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, salt and spices in large bowl. Add butter; stir until mixture is well blended and forms coarse crumbs. Reserve 1/2 (about 2 1/4 cups) for the topping. Add pumpkin and vanilla to remaining mixture in bowl; stir until well blended. Press evenly into bottom of greased foil-lined 13x9-inch baking pan. Set aside.

Microwave caramels and milk in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after every minute. Let stand 1 minute. Pour over pumpkin mixture in pan, spreading to within 1/2-inch of edges. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Lift from pan. Cut into bars.

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This brew of apple juice, lemon, cloves and cinnamon flavor is a wonderful combination of autumn flavors.

Ingredients (Serves: 8)Serving Size: 1 cup1 bottle (64 ounces) apple juice2 tablespoons honey1 tablespoon McCormick® Cinnamon Extract1 teaspoon McCormick® Cloves, Whole1/2 lemon, sliced

5 mins Prep time30 mins Cook time

Mix apple juice, honey, cinnamon flavor, cloves and lemon slices in large sauce pot.

Simmer 30 minutes. Strain. Serve warm or refrigerate to serve cold.

CINNAMON APPLE BREW

The Best of Fall Flavors in a Tasty

Apple Brew

PUMPKIN PIE COOKIESCross a cookie with a pumpkin pie and you'll end up these sweet treats for Halloween or Thanksgiving.

Ingredients (Serves: 24)Serving Size: 1 cookie2 cups flour1 teaspoon McCormick® Pumpkin Pie Spice1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened1/2 cup sugar3 tablespoons water1 tablespoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract1 egg, lightly beaten (for brushing)3/4 cup canned pumpkin1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar2 tablespoons heavy cream1 egg, lightly beaten1 teaspoon McCormick® Pumpkin Pie Spice1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

25 mins Prep time22 mins Cook time

For the Cookies, mix flour, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour

mixture on low speed until well mixed. Add water and vanilla; mix well. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.

For the Filling, mix all ingredients in medium bowl until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut out with 3-inch round or pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter. Set aside 1/2 of the dough rounds for the bottoms of the cookies. Score the top of remaining cookies with a small knife to make a pumpkin design or other desired designs.

To assemble the cookies, place about 2 teaspoon filling on each of the cookie bottoms. Moisten edges of cookies. Top each with a cookie top. Press edges with tines of a fork to seal the cookie. Brush top of each cookie with beaten egg. Place 2 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Recipes Courtesy of McCormick & Company

Absolutely one of our FAVORITE new recipes of the season. These cookies are delicious. If you like pumpkin pie, they just might be your favorite new treat.