SaS- Caramel Apple Cookies

Happy Thursday Seekers!  Ahhhhh. . . . can you feel it?  Fall is in the air.  I woke up this morning and walked outside to cool crisp air!  I took it as a sign from 'The Cookie Gods' that I needed to bake my new fall cookie recipe!  Or maybe it was just because today is my sissy's Cookie Swap themed SaS over at the tank?  Either way, I actually baked home-made cookies!  Oh.Yes.I.Did.  You should feel so honored!  I never bake home-made cookies.  Ever.  For anyone, not even William.  I tried once after much persuasion he begged.  They ended up being more like hockey pucks than anything edible!  Small round HARD discs!  I'm sure we could have used them the play ice hockey.  I've just never really been a baker.  Until recently, I've started to expand my horizons, and ASS!  (LOL, I know, I'm such a dork)!  I'm not exactly sure why I've started baking, other than I like EATING!  Ha!  Whatever the reason, my family is happy!  BUT none of my clothes fit!

I call these my "fall" recipe because they're caramel apple oatmeal cookies.  Seriously, does anything say FALL like CARAMEL APPLES?  My MIL found the recipe in a Cooking Light magazine.  I'm not sure if they're really considered "light" or not?  But in my house they're consider GONE!  Not.Even.Kidding.  

Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups old-fashion rolled oats

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt 

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

6 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 large egg

3/4 cup finely chopped dried apple slices

3/4 cup caramel bits 

or 

16 small soft caramel candies (chopped)

I could not locate the caramel bits in my grocery store.  So I used the caramel candies and chopped them up.  ( I cut them into 3's, then in half, and in half once more).  I placed them in the refrigerator to harden a bit before chopping.  The dried apple slices I used crumbled like potato chips.  A knife was useless, I used my hands.  (I used the 'original' flavored apple slices, but next time I'm going to try the 'granny smith' variety).  

  

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cup, level with knife.  Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, stir well.

Place sugars and butter in a LARGE bowl.  Beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla and egg.  Beat well.  

Gradually add flour mixture, beating on low speed until just combined.  

Fold in apple and caramel pieces. (I left my caramel pieces in the fridge until just before adding, so they would stay cool and not stick together).

Drop dough by 2 teaspoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheet.  Flatten balls slightly with hand.  

  (coolest kitchen tool ever for baking cookies)

I used one of these!  It made life simple!  If you don't have one, and you like to bake cookies, do yourself a favor and buy one!

Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes.  Cool on pans for 3 minutes.  Remove cookies from pans and cool completely on wire racks.  (Um, yeah, if they last that long)!

FYI~ these cookies DO NOT turn golden brown.  They stay very light in color.   

These are delicious and a new family favorite!  If for some reason you don't like caramel/apples, I've also substituted white chocolate chips and craisins for the caramels and apple chips before. They too were DELICIOUS!  But who in their right mind doesn't like caramel apples??  Freaks, that's who!

Don't forget to check out my first ever giveaway!  Awesome chance to win!