Caramel Apple Bites
For the Filling:
1/3 cup chopped unpeeled apple
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
For the Dough:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, 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
For the Topping:
1 package (14 ounces) caramels
2/3 cup evaporated milk
Green toothpicks
1 cup chopped walnuts
RECIPE
In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add egg, vanilla and salt; beat well. Add flour; 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 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
In a saucepan over low heat, cook caramels and evaporated milk, stirring occasionally, until caramels are melted. Insert a toothpick into each cookie and dip into caramel until completely coated. Dip bottoms into nuts. Place on wire racks to set.
