Caramel Apple Bites

Filling:
1/3 cup chopped, unpeeled apple
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

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

Topping:
1 (14 ounce) package caramels
2/3 cups evaporated milk
Green toothpicks
1 cup finely chopped walnuts

In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.

In a bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add egg, vanilla extract and salt; beat well. Add flour; mix well. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Flatten each ball and place 1/4 teaspoon filling in center of each. Fold dough over filling and reshape into balls. Place 1 inch 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 2/3 cup 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.

Makes about 3 dozen.