Caramel Apple Cookies Recipe

I love caramel apples. This cookie recipe make a great cookie for the Halloween season.

• Meal Type: Cookie
• Ethnicity: Other
• Holiday Category: Halloween
• Preparation Time: Over 1 hour, less than 1 day

Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon apple-pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• red & green food coloring paste
• 24 green wooden craft sticks
• 1 package (14-ounces) caramels
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup chopped cashews
• apple shaped cookie cutter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, apple pie spice, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, using a mixer set on high, beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy. With the mixer set on low, beat eggs and vanilla; beat in flour mixture.
2. Remove 1/3 cup of dough to a small mixing bowl; tint green. Tint remaining dough red; divide in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the red dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Using an apple shaped cookie cutter, cut dough into shapes; place 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
3. Place a craft stick under "stern" end of each cookie, pressing dough lightly. Using your fingers, mold a small piece of green dough into a leaf shape and place on top of each apple cutout on baking sheet.
4. Repeat rolling and cutting process with remaining dough. Bake until crisp, but not browned, 8-10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.
5. In a small saucepan, heat caramels and water over low heat, stirring often, until smooth. Set a wire rack over a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Dip the cookies into melted caramel and then into chopped nuts. Let cookies stand until caramel is set, about 1 hour. Makes about 2 dozen.