Chocolate Chip Caramel Apple Cookies

I've got a new favorite cookie.

Perfect for Halloween, perfect for Fall, perfect for two ingredients to come together: Apples and Caramel. Who doesn't love apples? And caramel? Be still my heart. You may have noticed these two ingredients marrying together on many blogs today. It is the first of Lady Behind the Curtain's Improv Cooking Challenge. You can join in on the fun too! Just click her button to sign up for next month.

I've known about the theme for this month for a while now. I pondered over what to do with my apples and caramel melts for weeks and weeks. I thought about making this, or this, or maybe even this! All so delicious, decadent, mouth-watering....all ideas that I still really want to make. However, I opted for the lazy route and procrastinated. Until four days ago...

...I found these cookies. And I loved them. A unique combination for me, as I've never combined chocolate chips and diced apples in cookie form. They're moist and chewy, with crisp edges. I love the sweet tartness from the apple and the richness of the chocolate chips. Bake them as a Halloween treat, kids will love them!

Source: Sweet Tooth and Sweet Life
Servings: 24 cookies

2 1/4 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
10 caramels, unwrapped
1 tbsp milk
2 small apples, peeled, cored, & diced
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
 
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.

Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy.

In a small, microwave-safe bowl, heat your unwrapped caramels & milk until smooth and creamy, about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Check the caramel every 30-40 seconds and stir. Allow caramel to cool for about 10 minutes, then add to cookie batter. Fold in your diced apples, followed by the sifted dry ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chopped candy bars and chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough with a cookie scoop onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Note: I find that these cookies are best enjoyed right after they've cooled. They don't keep well for very long.