Caramel Apple Bites

Yield: about 3 dozen

Ingredients

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, 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

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.
2. In a bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add egg, vanilla extract and salt; beat well. Add flour; mix well.
3. 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.
4. Place 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
6. Remove to wire racks to cool.
7. In a saucepan over low heat, cook caramels and 2/3 cup evaporated milk, stirring occasionally, until caramels are melted.
8. Insert a wooden pick into each cookie and dip into caramel until completely coated. Dip bottoms into nuts.
9. Place on wire racks to set.