Shelly's Recipe

CARAMEL APPLE BARS

Category: Bars

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter
2 cups flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Caramel Filling (see recipe)
2 cups coarsely chopped peeled apples
1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 15-by-10-inch jellyroll pan.

Melt butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Add flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda. Combine with mixer at low speed or with fork until crumbly. Press half of mixture into pan and bake in preheated oven 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare Caramel Filling and set aside.

Sprinkle apples and nuts over warm crust. Pour hot caramel evenly over the top. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake in preheated oven 20 to 25 minutes. Cool.

For ease in cutting, refrigerate before slicing into bars. Store in refrigerator until shortly before serving.

Caramel filling:
1 1/2 cups caramel topping
1/2 cup flour

In small saucepan over medium heat, combine caramel topping and flour. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.