Apple Cider Caramel Cookies

Oh my goodness can I just say YUMMY!!!  I am throwing a going away party for my hubby before he heads out for this third deployment over seas.  The theme is fall so all the treats I am making are fall'ish.  These apple Cider Caramel cookies have turned out so good, thanks to The Cooking Photographer for the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (7.5 ounce) box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix.....not sugar free
2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 (14 oz) bag Kraft caramels

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F,  Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.  But if you use wax paper you need to spray it well with spray oil.

2.  In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar, salt, and all 10 packets of apple cider mix until smooth and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla extract, then mix in the baking soda and baking powder.
Add the flour and mix until just combined.

3. With a big spoon scoop a ball of dough into your clean hands.  Roll into a ball and then flatten out with your fingers.   Add a caramel into the center.

 

4.  Work the dough around the caramel and make a ball again.  Making sure that there are no holes.  Set on lined cookie sheet about two inches apart.

 

5.  Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.  Once they come out remove carefully right away and put on a cooling rack.  If caramel is coming out of the bottom let cool upside down.

You will so want to eat the whole batch so be careful!!!!  :)