Caramel Apple Bars

 

2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2

cups quick-cooking oats

1 1/2

cups packed brown sugar

1

teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4

cups butter or margarine, melted

1 1/2

cups caramel ice cream topping

1/2

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2

cups coarsely chopped peeled apples

1/2

cup chopped walnuts or pecans

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 15x10x1-inch pan with shortening. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat base and topping ingredients on low speed until crumbly. Press half of mixture (about 2 1/2 cups) in pan to form base; reserve remaining mixture for topping. Bake 8 minutes.
• 2 Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix caramel topping and 1/2 cup flour until well blended. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens slightly.
• 3 Remove partially baked base from oven. Sprinkle with apples and walnuts. Pour caramel mixture evenly over top. Sprinkle with reserved topping mixture.
• 4 Return to oven; bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.