Caramel Apple Cookies recipe

Step 1

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine flour, apple pie spice, baking soda and salt.

Step 3

In a large bowl, using a mixer set on high, beat butter and both sugars until fluffy. With mixer on low, beat in eggs and vanilla extract; beat in flour mixture.

Step 4

Remove 1/3 cup of dough to a small mixing bowl; tint green. Tint remaining dough red; divide in half.

Step 5

On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the red dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Using an apple-shaped template or cookie cutter, cut dough into shapes; place 3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Place a craft stick under "stem" 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. Repeat rolling and cutting process with remaining dough.

Step 6

Bake until crisp but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 7

Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 8

In a small saucepan, heat caramels and water over low heat, stirring often, until smooth. Set a wire rack over a wax papered baking sheet. Dip the cookie bottoms into melted caramel and then into chopped nuts. Let cookies stand until caramel is set, about 1 hour.

Step 9

To store cookies, be sure the caramel is completely set and wrap each cookie individually in waxed paper. Do not try to stack the cookies before the caramel has hardened.