Caramel Apple Cookies

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• tablespoon sfrozen apple juice concentrate, thawed, divided
• 1/2 cup sall-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• flat toothpicks
• individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
• tablespoon swater
• 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts (Optional)

Instructions

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