Awesome Dessert :)

Great dessert for the fall! I am going to be making this for a party this week!



*_Caramel Apple Bars_*



BASE AND TOPPING

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups quick-cooking oats (don’t substitute)

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 cups butter or margarine, melted

FILLING
1 1/2 cups caramel ice cream topping

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups coarsely chopped peeled apples

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease 15x10x1-inch pan ( I used 9x13) with shortening. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat base and topping ingredients on low speed until crumbly. Press half of mixture (about 2 1/2 cups) in pan to form base; reserve remaining mixture for topping. Bake 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix caramel topping and 1/2 cup flour until well blended. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens slightly.

Remove partially baked base from oven. Sprinkle with apples and walnuts. Pour caramel mixture evenly over top. Sprinkle with reserved topping mixture.

Return to oven, bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake at 375ºF as directed above.