Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies 

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 box (7.4 oz) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink mix

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract 

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1/4 tsp ground cardamom

3 cups all purpose flour

1 bag Kraft Caramel Bits (11 oz.) or Kraft Caramels (14 oz.)

Preheat oven to 325F.  Line baking sheets with either a Silpat or parchment paper.  In the bowl of a stand mixer add the butter, sugar, salt and the contents of all 10 packets of Alpine Spiced Apple Cider and blend until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time mixing until incorporated.  Add the vanilla and blend until mixed.  Add the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom and flour and mix until well blended.  Using a medium cookie scoop (1.5 TBS) fill the scoop level with the cookie dough.  While the cookie dough is still in the scoop, press either one unwrapped Kraft Caramel or 6-7 Kraft Caramel Bits into the center of the dough and then pinch the dough to cover the caramel.  Release the scoop of dough onto prepared cookie sheet placing about 2-inches apart.  Bake 12-14 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges.