Caramel Apple Bites

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. + standing Bake: 15 min. + cooling

Makes

about 3 dozen

Updated: Mar. 22, 2023
Kids can help make these perfect fall bites by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It's a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Ingredients

  • FILLING:
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped unpeeled apple
  • 1/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
  • DOUGH:
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • TOPPING:
  • 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
  • 2/3 cup evaporated milk
  • Green toothpicks
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  3. Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Flatten and place 1/4 teaspoon filling in center of each. Fold dough over filling and reshape into balls. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
  4. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  5. In a small saucepan over low heat, heat caramels and evaporated milk until caramels are melted; stir until smooth. Insert a toothpick into each cookie and dip into caramel until completely coated; allow excess to drip off. Dip bottoms into nuts. Place on wire racks to set.

Test Kitchen Tips
  • Party planning tip: The apple-filled cookies can be made ahead and frozen with toothpicks inserted. Then, the day before your event, just dip in caramel and nuts!
  • The tartness of a Granny Smith apple goes perfectly with the sweetness of these bites.
  • Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 292 calories, 13 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 31 mg cholesterol, 157 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein.