In-a-Jiffy Apple Cinnamon Caramel Oatmeal Cookies

I am in a good mood today, one because it's Good Friday, and two, my office is closed for the holiday! :) I am getting over a yucky cough/sore throat combo that reared its ugly head last week so I am glad to have another day of rest. My exercise life has been nonexistent this week, but I see it as a chance to recuperate and give my body the break it's been (not-so-subtly) telling me it needs.

Anyone else a huge fan of Jiffy muffin mixes? When I was a kid, one of my favorite ways to help my mom out in the kitchen was making the cornbread batter and carefully dolloping it into the muffin tin. It saved my mom 5 minutes, I had fun and we had delicious cornbread muffins soon afterwards.

Granted, Jiffy may not be the healthiest thing on the market, but for those of us pressed for time it can't be beat. That and I think the boxes are so darn cute. Hello, nostalgia! Oh yeah, they're inexpensive, too. Besides, everyone needs a little fat in their lives. Especially in the form of cookies.

I found a recipe on Jiffy's website when I was trying to figure out what to make with the mix. I knew I wanted to use the caramels (we've had a box sitting in our fridge for quite a while now), and this sounded perfectly easy and delicious. Oats make it healthy, right? ;)

Here's what you need.  Super easy!

Mix your dry ingredients,

Cut in the butter,

Add your egg and vanilla,

and mix it all up!

Then add the caramel pieces.  They're there, promise.

Pop onto a cookie sheet. and bake for 10-12 minutes at 375.

Get ready for a party in your mouth!

These cookies are just sweet enough.  The caramel oozes out a bit and makes a crunchy crust on the outside of the cookies. YUM!

I made these cookies last week and took them to work as a treat for my coworkers, but they would be great anytime! Enjoy :)

In-a-Jiffy Apple Cinnamon Caramel Oatmeal Cookies

adapted from Jiffy

Makes 10-14 cookies

Ingredients:

1 box Jiffy Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice mix

2 tbsp. oats

1 tbsp. butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 egg white

1/3 cup soft caramels, cut into pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and coat your baking sheet with cooking spray (if nonstick).

Mix muffn mix, spice, and oats together.

Cut in butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

Add egg white and vanilla, and mix until well blended.

Stir in caramel pieces until evenly distributed.

Roll dough into 1" balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Transfer to cookie rack to cool.