#377 - Caramel Apple Pie

(by Shirley McNevich)

35 Kraft caramels, unwrapped
3 TBSP milk
1 graham cracker pie crust
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 cup milk
1 - 4oz. package Jell-O instant vanilla pudding/pie filling
1 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip
1 - 21oz. can apple pie filling

Place caramels and 3 TBSP milk in medium microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until caramels are melted--stir until smooth. Save 1/3 cup caramel mixture in small microwaveable bowl--cover it and refrigerate. Pour remaining caramel mixture into pie crust and top evenly with pecans. Pour 1 cup milk into large bowl and add dry pudding mix--beat with wire whisk 2 minutes. Gently stir in Cool Whip. Spoon this mixture into crust. Freeze 4 hours (preferably overnight). The next day, spoon apple pie filling over frozen pie. Microwave reserved 1/3 cup caramel mixture on high 30 seconds or until caramel is smooth. Drizzle over pie filling. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving. Store leftover pie in the freezer.