Shelly's Recipe

CARAMEL APPLE THUMBPRINTS

Category: Cookies

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 small apple, sliced into pieces to fit cookies
15 caramels, unwrapped
1 tablespoon milk or cream
1/4 teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat cookie sheets with cooking spray.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium-high speed, beat peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla, for 3-4 minutes or until well combined, creamy, and aerated. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour mixture until just combined.

Roll dough into 24 equal sized balls and place on cookie sheets; press an apple slice into each cookie and flatten. Bake 12 minutes or until well risen and light golden brown. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

To make the caramel sauce, stir together caramels and milk in a small bowl. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramels are melted; stir in pumpkin pie spice, salt and pecans until combined. Evenly drizzle caramel sauce over the tops of cookies.

Makes 2 dozen cookies