Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Apple Filling:

• Combine all the ingredients for the apple filling in a saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until the apples are soft, and the filling is thick. Reduce the heat to low while the cookies bake.

Cookie Dough:

• In the bowl of a mixer, cream together butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until soft and fluffy.
• Mix in one egg at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Slowly add the wet ingredients and mix until combined. The dough will be thick.
• Scoop out 3 tablespoons of dough, roll into a ball, and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. *Bake in batches so you do not over crowed the pan. Place only one pan of cookies in the oven at a time on the middle rack. *
• Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. With the back of a tablespoon, press into the middle of each cookie, creating a well. Add 1 tablespoon of apple filling to each cookie. Return to the oven and bake for another 12-15 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown. Cookies may still be a little soft; they will finish baking while cooling.
• Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest for 10 minutes. Drizzle with caramel sauce and dust with cinnamon sugar.