Caramel Apple Cookies

Ingredients

• 0.75 cups confectioners' sugar
• 0.67 cups butter , softened
• 3 tablespoons frozen apple juice concentrate , thawed, divided
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• flat toothpicks
• 30 individuallys wrapped caramels , unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons water
• 0.75 cups finely chopped walnuts , Optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. 2

   Beat confectioners' sugar, butter, and 1 tablespoon apple juice concentrate together in a bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy; stir in flour and salt until dough is just combined. Roll dough into 3/4-inch balls and arrange on ungreased baking sheets.

3. 3

   Bake in the preheated oven until edges are light golden brown, 12 to 17 minutes. Immediately insert toothpicks in the center of each cookie. Place cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.

4. 4

   Combine caramels, 2 tablespoons apple juice concentrate, and water in a saucepan over low heat; cook and stir until mixture is smooth, 5 to 10 minutes. Spoon caramel sauce over each cookie, letting excess caramel sauce drip off.

5. 5

   Pour walnuts onto a plate. Press the bottom of each caramel-coated cookie into the walnuts and transfer to a sheet of waxed paper to set.