Adapted from Betty Crocker
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Heat oven to 400°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In large bowl, beat sugar, butter and shortening with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in vanilla and egg. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
On lightly floured surface, roll dough 1/3 inch thick. Cut with an apple-shaped cookie cutter. Or, if you’re like me and don’t have an apple-shaped cookie cutter, use a pumpkin cutter and simple turn it upside down!
On a parchment lined or lightly greased cookie sheet, place cutouts 2 inches apart. Carefully insert 1 inch of wooden stick into side of each cookie. {Into the stem of the pumpkin.} Don’t let this step scare you, it’s actually really easy! Just take one hand and lightly touch the top of the cookie while you use your other hand to push the popsicle stick in the cookie. You’ll be able to feel exactly where the stick is in the cookie- I tried to push it in until it was almost to the top of the cookie.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely before adding caramel glaze.
If you’re using caramel squares: In 2-quart saucepan, heat caramels and water over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. If caramel glaze becomes too stiff, heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until softened.
Spread top third of each cookie (opposite wooden stick) with caramel glaze. Hold cookie upright to allow glaze to drizzle down cookie. If it’s not spreading a lot, add more caramel! You can also encourage the caramel to spread down one side or another by adding drips to certain sections of the top of the cookie. Sprinkle with candy sprinkles.