Recipe: Caramel Apple Bars

Caramel Apple Bars
Source: Gold Medal Cookies From The Heart

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup solid shortening
1-3/4 cups flour
1-1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 cups chopped tart apples (3 medium apples)
3 Tbsp. flour
1 (14-oz.) package caramels, unwrapped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In large bowl, combine brown sugar with butter and shortening and cream together until well blended. Add 1-3/4 cups flour, quick cooking oats, salt and baking soda and mix well. Measure out 2 cups of this crumbly mixture and set aside. Pat remaining crumbly mixture into 13x9" pan.

In large bowl, combine apples and 3 Tbsp. flour and spread over crust.

In medium bowl, microwave unwrapped caramels until melted, about 4-5 minutes on MEDIUM powder, stirring every minute. Pour over apples and then sprinkle with reserved crumbly mixture. Pat lightly.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until crumbs are golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with fork. Cut into bars when cooled. Store in refrigerator. 36 bars

Calories: 145
Fat: 5 grams
Sodium: 140 mg