Caramel Apple Bars

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 36
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 3/4 cups 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 all-purpose flour
• 1 (14 ounce) bag caramels

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 400ºf.
• 2 mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl.
• 3 stir in 1¾ cups flour, the oats, salt and baking soda.
• 4 reserve 2 cups oat mixture; press remaining oat mixture in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.
• 5 toss apples and 3 tablespoons flour; spread over mixture in pan.
• 6 heat caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted; pour evenly over apples.
• 7 sprinkle with reserved oat mixture; press lightly.
• 8 bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender.
• 9 for 36 bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm.
• 10 store covered in refrigerator.