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CARAMEL APPLE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

There is nothing like seeing my friends melt to the floor when they bite into a treat I baked. These cookies never fail to elicit all sorts of oohs and aahs.

—AMBER TAYLOR LENOIR CITY, TN


PREP: 35 MIN. + CHILLING • BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH + COOLING • MAKES: 3 DOZEN

1 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup finely chopped dried apple chips

15 caramels

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Additional finely chopped dried apple chips, optional

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter, confectioners’ sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon until blended. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in 1/3 cup apple chips.

2. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.

3. Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. apple-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.

4. Bake 9-11 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

5. In a small saucepan, melt caramels with cream and remaining cinnamon over medium heat, stirring frequently. Drizzle over cookies. If desired, sprinkle with additional apple chips. Let stand until set.