Granny's Caramel Apple Cookies

This is for all you poor souls out there who have never had or made Granny's wonderful apple cookies...

1/2 c. shortening

1 1/3 c. brown sugar

1 egg

2 1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 c. peeled, diced apples

1/2 c. milk

1 c. nuts (optional)

Cream together shortening, sugar, and egg until light and fluffy. Mix dry ingredients together separately, add to creamed mixture gradually. When well blended, stir in milk and apples. Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for 8-10 min. or as done as you'd like. Frost when cool. (You could skip the icing, but why?)

Caramel icing:

1/4 c. butter

1/4 c. brown sugar

Cook together until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Add:

1 1/2 c. icing sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 1/2 Tbsp. light cream or milk

Beat together and spread on cooled cookies.