Caramel-Apple Shortbread Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Makes

3 dozen

Updated: Sep. 16, 2022
There is nothing like seeing my friends almost melt to the floor when they bite into something I made. These cookies never fail to elicit oohs and aahs. —Amber Taylor, Lenoir City, Tennessee
Caramel-Apple Shortbread Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped dried apple chips
  • 15 caramels
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • Additional finely chopped dried apple chips, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon until blended. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in 1/3 cup apple chips.
  2. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
  3. Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
  4. Bake 9-11 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  5. In a small saucepan, melt caramels with cream and remaining cinnamon over medium heat, stirring frequently. Drizzle over cookies. If desired, sprinkle with additional apple chips. Let stand until set.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 110 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.