Caramel Apple Bars

Caramel Apple Bars

Crust Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 ½ sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Caramel Ingredients:
6 ounces soft caramels (18-20 caramels)
1/4 cup heavy cream
Apple Filling Ingredients:
3 large tart apples (such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Fuji)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9”x 13”x 2” baking pan.
To make the crust, stir together oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add cold butter and mix with a pastry blender, a fork, or your hands until mixture is crumbly.
Remove about 1/2 cup of crust mixture. Set aside.
Press remaining dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake 16-18 minutes, or until crust is lightly golden. Set pan on wire rack to cool slightly.
To make the caramel layer, place caramels and cream in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. Immediately pour caramel over partially baked crust and spread evenly.
To make the apple filling, chop apples into small pieces (1/4-1/2-inch). As you chop the apples, place them in a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Place butter in a large pan over medium heat. When butter has melted, add chopped apples. Cook about 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add sugar and cinnamon and continue cooking another 8 minutes, or until apples are softened.
Spread apple mixture evenly over caramel layer. Scatter reserved crust mixture over top of apple filling.
Bake 25-30 minutes, or until bars are lightly browned. Cool completely in pan before cutting into bars.

Recipe from: Go Bold with Butter