Caramel Apple Bars

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup shortening (i used butter flavor crisco)
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 14 ounces chewy caramels

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 400* f.
• 2 mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl.
• 3 stir in 1 3/4 c flour, the oats, salt and baking soda.
• 4 reserve 2 c of oat mixture; press remaining mixture in ungreased 13x9x2 inches pan.
• 5 toss apples and 3 t flour; spread over mixture in pan.
• 6 heat caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted; pour evenly over apples (don't worry if it's not perfect- caramel will even out during baking).
• 7 sprinkle with reserved oat mixture; press lightly.
• 8 bake 25-30 minutes or until topping is golden, apples are tender, and caramel is set.
• 9 store covered in refrigerator (if they last that long!).