Makes about 2 dozen

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon apple-pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Red and green food coloring pastes
24 green wooden craft sticks
1 package (14 ounces) caramels
3 tablespoons water
1/3 cup chopped cashews

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
   
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, apple-pie spice, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, using a mixer set on high, beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy. With the mixer on low, beat in eggs and vanilla; beat in flour mixture.
   
3. Remove 1/3 cup of dough to a small mixing bowl; tint green. Tint remaining dough red; divide in half.
   
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the red dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Using an apple shaped template or cookie cutter, cut the dough into shapes; place 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
   
5. Place a craft stick under the "stem" end of ecah cookie, presing dough lightly.
   
6. Using your fingers, mold a small piece of green dough into a leaf shape and place on top of each apple cutout on baking sheet.
   
7. Repeat rolling and cutting process with remaining dough.
   
8. Bake until crisp, but not browned, 8-10 minutes.
   
9. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.
   
10. In a small saucepan, heat caramels and water over low heat, stirring often, until smooth.
    
11. Set a wire rack over a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
    
12. Dip the cookies intomelted caramel and then into chopped nuts.
    
13. Let cookies stand until caramel is set, about an hour.