Salted Caramel Apple S’more Bars

Steps

• 1

  Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square pan with shortening, or spray with cooking spray.
• 2

  In blender, crush 1 1/2 cups cereal; place in medium bowl. Add flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir into crushed cereal. Set aside.
• 3

  In large bowl, beat 1 cup butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and eggs. While beating on low speed, gradually add cereal-flour mixture, beating until dough forms.

  
• 4

  Reserve 1 cup of dough for topping. Press remaining dough in bottom of pan to form Base. Bake 15 minutes.

  
• 5

  Meanwhile, in 2-quart nonstick saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add apples; sprinkle with brown sugar. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until apples are softened.
• 6

  Remove Base from oven. Spoon cooked apples in caramel over Base. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt over apples. Top with S’more Toppings. Crumble reserved cup of dough evenly over top.

  
• 7

  Bake 10 minutes longer or until top is browned. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Cut into 3 rows by 3 rows for 9 bars, or 4 rows by 3 rows for 12 bars. Store in refrigerator.