Caramel Apple Bars

Do you have extra apples but don’t feel like making a pie? Try this easy-to-make bar with layers of brown sugar and oats surrounding apples and melted caramel.

Caramel Apple Bars

Servings: 36

Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 3/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 1/2 cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples (3 medium)
• 3 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
• 1 bag (14 ounces) caramels

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl. Stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, the oats, salt and baking soda. Reserve 2 cups oat mixture; press remaining oat mixture in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.
2. 2Toss apples and 3 tablespoons flour; spread over mixture in pan. Heat caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted; pour evenly over apples. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture; press lightly.
3. 3Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender. For 36 bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm. Store covered in refrigerator.

Tips:

Rolled oats are whole oats that have been steamed and flattened. Quick-cooking oats differ from regular—or old-fashioned—oats in that they’re cut into pieces before being steamed and are rolled into thinner flakes.

Make a date with Date Bars: Heat 1 pound cut-up dates (3 cups), 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 cup sugar over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened; cool. Use date mixture instead of the apples, 3 tablespoons flour and caramels.


Source: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/caramel-apple-bars/

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