Ooey Gooey Goodness

Do you want to make a cookie that will have your husband kneeling at your feet begging for more?
Do you want a to make a cookie that will cause your neighbors to duke it out in the street for the last crumb?
Do you want to make a cookie that will make you sneak into the kitchen for just one more only to find other family members who have the same idea?
Do you want to make a cookie that is so perfect for fall you'd wish for the briskness of the season to remain all year?

If so, than these cookies are for you.

I found this ooey gooey goodness here

Check out the blog for the enticing step by step pictures.

Caramel Apple Cookies
by Katie Goodman

What does the arrival of fall make you want to do? The answer to that question for many might be: bake. There is nothing better than the warm, sweet smell of freshly baked goodies. And it finally feels cool enough outside that turning the oven on doesn't feel so taboo. What else comes to mind with the crisp fall air? Back to school, changing leaves, apples, hayrides, carnivals, and caramel apples, to name a few.

These caramel apple cookies take several fall favorites and put them together in one fabulous treat. Caramel baking bits make it easy to add caramel to cookies (or brownies) because you don't have to spend time cutting the caramels into bite-sized pieces. Caramel apple cookies are sure to be a hit for fall carnivals, after-school snacks, or a special treat "just because." (I had to cut the caramel into bits which took some time but was so worth is. -MSJ)

What is your favorite part of fall? Lately I've been enjoying free time outside cleaning up the yard from the summer, planting my fall garden, and getting spring bulbs in the ground. It's nice to come in for a special treat after hard work outside. These cookies really hit the spot!
Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cup flour
2¾ cup old fashioned oats not quick-cooking oatmeal
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
12 oz caramel baking bits
2 cups granny smith apples
Directions

Step 1: In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and eggs. Beat until combined.


Step 2: Measure oatmeal into a food processor, and pulse until ground finely. In a medium-sized bowl, stir the oatmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until combined. Set aside.


Step 3: Peel and finely chop the apple.


Step 4: Using an electric mixer, stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until combined. Stir in the caramel bits and apples. It is fun to save a few of each (the apple and the caramel) for dotting on top of the rolled cookie dough balls.


Step 5: Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour. Roll the cookie dough into golf ball-sized balls. Bake on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, for 10-12 minutes. The sheet should be placed on the upper middle rack. Cool on the pan for 4 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Note: Dough is best the day of. In time the apples add extra moisture to the dough, causing a wider spread on the baked cookies. Alternatively, you can pre-roll the dough into balls and freeze if you aren't using it all the first day. Place the dough balls on a cookie sheet until solid, and then transfer to a labeled sealable freezer bag. Use within one month. Simply add an extra couple minutes to the baking time since the dough is frozen.

I also want to try her Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate but.....
I only have half a can of pumpkin in my freezer and there isn't any to be found in the stores so I keep going back and forth on what to make....cookies, muffins, or the above.

P.S. Fellow Family Biggest Losers: I suggest you wait two more days for the challenge to be over before attempting to allow these into your homes.