Caramel Apple Cookies

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine -- softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Red paste food color, if desired

About 24 wooden sticks with rounded ends

Caramel Glaze -- (recipe follows)

CARAMEL GLAZE

1 (14 ounce) package vanilla caramels

1/4 cup water

Heat oven to 400º. Beat sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in vanilla and eggs. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in food color to tint dough red.

Roll dough 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered surface. Cut with 3-inch round or apple-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Insert wooden stick into side of each cookie. Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Spread top third of each cookie (opposite wooden stick) with Caramel Glaze. Hold cookie upright to allow glaze to drizzle down cookie.

CARAMEL GLAZE:

Heat caramels and water in 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. If glaze becomes too stiff, heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until softened.

Tags: carmel apple cookies, cookie recipes, carmel cookie recipe, apple cookie recipe