Make Them NOW.

I fixed these delightful little creatures the other evening and definitely exceeded my goal of only eating one and sharing the rest with my co-workers.  They are wonderful with a cup of tea! You don't understand. THEY ARE PERFECT. Plus, you porbably have most of the ingredients already in your pantry....all you need to go grab is the cider packets and the caramels. So, go! Get what you don't already have, and make some baked Autumn goodness!

Caramel Apple Cookies

Ingredients

1 t ground cinnamon

1 c softened unsalted butter

1 t ground nutmeg

1/2 t ground cloves

1 c organic granulated sugar

1/2 t finely ground kosher sea salt

1 box of your favorite apple cider mix  packets (I bought Alpine Spiced Apple Cider)

2 eggs

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t baking powder

3 c unbleached all purpose flour

1 t baking soda

1 bag Caramels (I used the square ones made by Kraft)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• Line cookie sheets with wax paper or parchment
• In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Cream (mix vigorously) together butter, sugar, salt, and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Add vanilla and mix well.
• Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
• Refrigerate for about an hour - this is not neccessary, but does make the dough easier to work with
• When you are ready to bake, unwrap your caramels.
• Scoop out cookie dough balls the sixe of a Tablespoon.
• Flatten the ball of dough slightly in the palm of your hand. Press the unwrapped caramel into the center of your dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely. Place on your wax paper about 1-2 inches apart.
• Bake 12-14 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges. Don't over-bake! Once the cookies are done, pick up your wax paper and lay it on the counter so cookies cool for about 10 minutes. You want to take them off the was paper before they cool completely or they will stick.
• Yield: about 3 dozen.