Recipe(tried): A Rookie Posting - Mom's Chili, Caramel Apple Bars

I'm pretty new to this board, and I've enjoyed all of your postings and recipes so much, that I finally decided to post. After reading Gina's Thanksgiving dinner posting yesterday, my daughter chastised me for not sharing in return. She was right! I'm sure I learn more from my kids than they do from me! Anyway, yesterday was beautiful here in Indiana, and since my daughter and her husband were visiting us for a few days, I took her shopping and left dinner simmering on the stove all afternoon. Thanks for all your sharing, and you all have a wonderful day! Our dinner was:

Mom's Chili
Cornbread
Caramel Apple Bars

Here are the recipes! I hope you enjoy them!

Mom's Chili

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 lbs. ground beef
1 lb. round steak, cubed
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (22 oz.) can tomato juice
1 (14.5 oz.) can tomato puree
1 cup of strong brewed coffee
1 can (14 oz.) beef broth seasoned with onions
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 to 4 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
3 (15 oz.) cans chili hot kidney beans
1 small can chopped green chiles, optional

Heat oil in large Dutch oven. Cook onions, garlic, ground beef, and cubed sirloin until well browned. Stir in all the other ingredients and simmer for about 2 hours.

You can put this in a crock pot and let simmer all day, or you can put it in a big roasting pan and bake it at about 325 degrees for several hours. Either way it's delicious!

Caramel Apple Bars

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1-3/4 cups flour
1 cup quick oatmeal
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Filling:
4-1/2 cups peeled, chopped baking apples
3 Tbsp. flour
1 (regular size) pkg. of caramels
3 Tbsp. butter

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cream butter, shortening, and brown sugar till fluffy. Add flour, oats, salt, and baking soda. Mix well. Set aside 2 cups. Press remaining mixture into bottom of 9 X 13 pan.

For filling: Toss apples with flour. Spoon over crust. Melt butter and caramels in saucepan over low heat. Drizzle over apples. Top with reserved oat mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool before cutting.