Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

My next few posts are going to be Christmas in January posts.  Who doesn't love celebrating the holidays in the New Year?  Each Year my sister and I throw a Christmas cookie exchange party.  We always have so much fun planning which cookie recipe to try that year.  For me it is against the rules to make the same recipe more than once and it's also against the rules to make something boring.  I pretty much start looking for a cookie recipe the day after the party is over.  This year I found this little gem and knew I had found a winner.  These cookies were very yummy but they did have one little problem.  After baking and cooling the Caramels get VERY hard.  If you aren't going to eat them fresh out of the oven you will want to warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds so you don't break a tooth.

You will need Caramels, Flour, cinnamon, Unsalted Butter, Salt, Alpine Spiced Apple Cider, Baking Powder, Sugar, Eggs, Vanilla, and Baking Soda.

Mix together the Cinnamon, Flour, Baking Powder, and Baking Soda.

Cream together the Softened Unsalted Butter, Sugar, Salt, and all ten of the Apple Cider Packets.

Looks perfect.

Beat in the Eggs..

One at a time.

Add the Vanilla and mix well.

Gradually add the Flour into the mix.

At this point my hand mixer decided to wimp out on me so I moved the mixture to my sturdy stand mixer.

When everything is mixed together grab a bit of dough, about 2 TBSP and flatten it with a spoon

Place the unwrapped Caramel on top.  I considered using the little Caramel bits so I didn't have to unwrap but chickened out.  After unwrapping all those Caramels I wish I had used them.

Roll the Caramel and dough up into a ball.

*You will want to use Parchment to avoid a giant caramel mess* Bake 350 degrees 11-14 minutes until the cookies are lightly browned. 

Place a couple of sheets of parchment on the counter top.

When the cookies are done baking turn them upside down to allow the Caramel to set up. 

Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies
Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

2 Sticks softened Unsalted Butter
1 C Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
1 7.4 oz box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix (10 Packets)
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
3 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 bag of Caramels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl mix together the Flour, Bakin Soda, Baking Powder and Cinnamon.

In a separate bowl cream together the softened unsalted Butter, Sugar, Salt, and all ten of the Cider Packets.

Beat the eggs into the creamed Butter mixture one at a time.  Add the vanilla and mix together well.  Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined.

Grab about 2 TBSP of dough and flatten on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Place the unwrapped caramel on the dough and roll up into a ball fully enclosing the Caramel.  Place dough balls about 3 inches apart.  Bake 11-14 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Do not overbake.

When the cookies are done baking Allow the cookies to cool for a minute or two.  Place two sheets of parchment on your counter and turn the cookies upside down on the parchment to cool completely.

Enjoy fresh out of the oven or if the caramel gets too hard after cooling warm them up in the microwave for about 5 seconds.

Enjoy!