Caramel Apple Cookies

• Ready In: 42 mins
• Yields: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 1⁄4 cups  packed light brown sugar
• 1  egg
• 1⁄2 cup  apple juice, divided
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1  cup apple, peeled and shredded

• Frosting

• 2 -3  tablespoons margarine, softened
• 1⁄3 cup  packed light brown sugar
• 2  tablespoons water
• 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 -4  tablespoons milk
• 5  tablespoons  finely crushed walnuts

Directions

1. Beat shortening and brown sugar in medium bowl until blended; beat in egg.
2. Mix in 1/4 cup apple juice.
3. Combined flour, baking soda, salt, and spices; mix in remaining 1/4 cup apple juice and apples.
4. Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto greased cookie sheets.
5. Bake at 350 until browned, 10 to 12 minutesCool on wire racks.
6. Spread with frosting and sprinkle each cookie with crushed walnuts.
7. Caramel Frosting: Heat margarine, brown sugar, and water over medium high heat in saucepan,stirring until sugar dissolves.
8. Remove from heat; beat in powdered sugar and enough milk to make spreadable consistency; use immediately.
9. If frosting begins to harden, return to low heat and stir in more milk.