Caramel Apple Cookies

During the prime time holiday season last October through December I was always seeing recipes involving cookies stuffed with caramels.  I'm not all about taking the time to roll out dough and actually wrap it around candy, so I usually adapt those recipes into something a bit quicker.  Unfortunately I was never able to find chip sized caramel pieces.  Add the grand opening of the new Meijer in town and welcome in bags of premium caramel bits for baking!  Woohoo!  Can't you just feel my excitement through the computer screen?!?!  I snagged a couple bags a few weekends ago and below is the first recipe I've tried.

Caramel Apple Cookies
(adapted from this  recipe)

1 cup butter - softened
1 cup Domino light (sugar & stevia blend)
1/2 tsp salt
1 box (7.4oz) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Original Drink Mix - all 10 packets (can be found near the hot chocolate mixes)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 cups all purpose flour
1 bag (11oz) + 1/3 cup Kraft Premium Caramel Bits

Preheat oven to 350 degrees & line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, sugar, salt, and cider mix.  Mix until light and fluffly.  Add in both eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, cinnamon, and baking powder, mixing until well incorporated.  Gradually add in the 3 cups of flour, blending well.  Finally add in the caramel bits until just combined.

Drop dough in tablespoon sized balls onto the lined baking sheet.  Bake 12-14 minutes until the cookie bottoms barely begin to brown.  Let cool on baking for several minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.  Makes over five dozen cookies.

These cookies are fabulous: more taste than a sugar cookie but not as heavy as a chocolatey cookie.  I will definitely be baking these again during the cozy fall season!

Apple French Toast (in the Crockpot!)

Don't you always see crockpot breakfast creations floating around on Pinterest?  I definitely do.  I've been meaning to try one (for a pretty long time now) - and guess what?!  I finally did!  And it was seriously delicious.  It made about 8 servings and I had absolutely no problem eating it several days in a row.  Yum!

Apple French Toast (in the Crockpot!)
(adapted from this recipe)

1/2 cup butter
2 apples (I used golden delicious) - cored and cut into 1inch cubes
1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar blend
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
16 slices bread (I used the Sara Lee 45 calorie Delightful line to reduce carb/calorie intake)
6 eggs
2 cups coconut milk (or milk of your choice)
2 tsps cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Confectioners sugar (to garnish)

Using a medium sized pan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the apples, brown sugar, and maple syrup to the pan.  Saute for 10 minutes, stirring often.  Place in crockpot.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.  Tear your bread into 1.5-2 inch cubes and place in bowl with mixture.  Stir to coat.  

Once the bread is evenly coated, place it in the crockpot and stir with the apple mixture.  Cook on high for 2 hours.  

Once your breakfast is ready, you can eat as is or garnish with confectioners sugar and touch of syrup!