Caramel Apple Bites

by Angela Horton

Ingredients

• 
  FILLING:
• 1/3 cup finely chopped unpeeled apple
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 
  DOUGH:
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 
  TOPPING:
• 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk
• 
  Green toothpicks
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

• In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
• Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Flatten and place 1/4 teaspoon filling in center of each. Fold dough over filling and reshape into balls. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
• Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• In a small saucepan over low heat, cook caramels and evaporated milk until caramels are melted; stir until smooth. Insert a toothpick into each cookie and dip into caramel until completely coated; allow excess to drip off. Dip bottoms into nuts. Place on wire racks to set. Yield: about 3 dozen.