Apple Crisp Cookies

In case you haven't seen any of my other recipes, I should tell you that I'm pretty much partial to cookies:) This recipe is pretty much a staple in my kitchen--it's easy, adaptable, really yummy, and everyone who drops by eats them by the handful. I have used other pie fillings as well, but the apple is just so cozy and fitting for the coming seasons;) If you get a chance to try these, I hope you enjoy them:)

• Ready In: 26 mins
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• COOKIES

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1  cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups old fashioned oats
• 2 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 6 -8  tablespoons water

• TOPPING

• 1 (21 ounce) can  apple pie filling
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped walnuts or 1⁄2 cup  almonds or 1⁄2 cup pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375*F.
2. Line at least 3 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
3. COOKIES: Cream together the butter and brown sugar until well blended; add vanilla.
4. Combine the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add alternately to the butter mixture with water stirring with a spoon.
6. Mix well after each addition.
7. (Mixture will be crumbly, but will hold together when shaped into a ball.) Add additional water, if necessary.
8. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.
9. Shape remaining dough into 1" balls; place 2" apart on the cookie sheets.
10. Flatten each cookie to an 1/8" thickness with the bottom of a floured glass; smooth edges.
11. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until light brown around the edges and firm to the touch; do not overbake.
12. Remove from oven; cool on cookie sheets about 5 minutes.
13. For the TOPPING, place 1 teaspoons.
14. fie filling in the center of each cookie; spread carefully to cover.
15. Combine the 1 cup reserved crumbs and nuts in a small bowl; toss to blend.
16. Sprinkle over filling.
17. Return to oven and bake 5 minutes more, or until topping is light brown.
18. Do not overbake.
19. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets, then transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
20. If desired, sprinkle cookies with powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar.