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829

Caramel Apple Bars

Prep 20 min
Total 50 min
Servings 36

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. MORE+ LESS-

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

April 15, 2010

Ingredients

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

teaspoon salt

1/2

teaspoon baking soda

4 1/2

cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples (3 medium)

tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

bag (14 ounces) caramels

Steps

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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

Toss 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

Bake 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.

Expert 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.