Caramel Apple 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.