Caramel Apple Cookies

 

These spice cookies, dipped in caramel and nuts to resemble the Halloween classic, are great treats at a kids' spooky party! Or wrap them in wax paper and send them home as party favors. 

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 
green and red food coloring pastes 
24 green wooden craft sticks 
1 package (14 ounces) caramels, unwrapped 
3 tablespoons water 
1/3 cup chopped cashews 

Makes about 2 dozen 

Preheat oven to 375F. 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 on low, beat in eggs and vanilla; beat in flour mixture. 

Transfer 1/3 cup of dough to a small mixing bowl and 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 the apple template (see Tip below), cut shapes from dough. Place 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking 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 with remaining dough.   

Bake cookies until crisp but not browned, 8-10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely. 

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 cookie bottoms into melted caramel and then into chopped nuts. Let cookies stand until caramel is set, about 1 hour.