Butterscotch, apples combine well in cookies

Several elements combine as pleasantly as the ingredients in this recipe for apple chip cookies. It's fall. A baking session in the kitchen has a cozy sound to it. Farmers' markets or your own trees, offer generous supplies of ripening fruit. Brown sugar and butterscotch have sweet, golden associations.

Apple Chip Cookies

For the cookies:

1/4 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups flour

1 cup Cameo or Rome Beauty apples, pared and chopped

1/2 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup pecans, chopped

For the glaze:

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon cinnamon

4 or 5 tablespoons half-and-half

2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in half-and-half, egg, soda, salt, nutmeg and flour. Add apples, chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to overbake.

To make the glaze: Combine ingredients to desired consistency, spread over cooled cookies.