Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

The flavors of fall are in the air!  Time to soak up the apples, cider, and spiced treats that fall has to offer.  I love the idea of a caramel apple, but hate having to eat one because they get so messy.  So here's a special treat that incorporates all of the flavors of fall in a small, semi-clean cookie!

Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

Makes about 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 cup sugar (1/2 cup sugar/stevia blend)
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 10 packet box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink mix -not sugar free
• 2 eggs
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 t baking soda
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 14 oz. bag Kraft Caramel

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F and line a cookie sheets with parchment
2. In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon
3. With an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy
4. Beat in eggs, one at a time
5. Add vanilla and mix well
6. Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture; mix until just combined
7. Refrigerate for about an hour
8. Unwrap the caramels
9. Scoop out cookie dough ball about the size of a walnut
10. Flatten the ball of dough slightly
11. Press the caramel into the center of the dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely
12. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets 2 inches apart
13. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges
14. Once the cookies are done, slide the parchment off of the baking sheet right out onto the counter
15. Allow cookies to partially cool on the parchment until they're still slightly warm
16. Carefully twist off of parchment and allow to finish cooling upside down
17. Store in an airtight container with a piece of waxed paper between each layer of stacked cookies
18. If you don't eat the cookies while still warm, microwave them for about 10-15 seconds before eating to allow the caramel to soften