Nutty Apple Cookies

Description
Contributed by Healthy Recipes for Diabetic Friends Y-Group
 * Original recipe
 * Ready in: < 30 minutes
 * Serves/Makes: 72

Ingredients

 * ½ cup shortening
 * 1¼ cup packed brown sugar
 * ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
 * 1 egg
 * ½ cup apple juice
 * 2¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour
 * 1 teaspoon baking soda
 * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
 * ¼ teaspoon salt
 * 1 medium tart apple, peeled, cored, and shredded
 * ¾ cup raisins
 * 2 tablespoons margarine
 * 2 tablespoons water
 * 1¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted
 * skim milk
 * ¼ cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Beat shortening and 1¼ cups brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.
 * 3) Add egg and beat 1 minute.
 * 4) Add apple juice and beat at low speed until blended.
 * 5) In another bowl stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
 * 6) Add egg mixture to the flour mixture, beating at low speed until combined.
 * 7) Fold in apple and raisins.
 * 8) Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
 * 9) Bake for 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
 * 10) Let stand 1 minute on cookie sheet.
 * 11) Remove to wire racks and cool.
 * 12) Heat margarine, ⅓ cup brown sugar, and water over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
 * 13) Remove from heat.
 * 14) Stir in sifted powdered sugar.
 * 15) If frosting begins to harden, stir in small amount of milk to make of spreading consistency.
 * 16) Spread cookies with caramel frosting and sprinkle with walnuts.

Nutritional information
Per serving:
 * 63 calories | 2 g total fat | 0 g saturated fat | 32 mg sodium | 11 g carbohydrate | 0 g fiber | 1 g protein | 1% calcium
 * Diabetic exchanges: ½ starch | ½ fat