Caramel Oatmeal Bars

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 60
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
• 3/4 teaspoon ginger, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• 14 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup cinnamon applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• smucker's no sugar added orange spread, 14-ounce package
• 2 tablespoons milk

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350°f mix flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, salt and spices in large bowl. add butter; stir until mixture is well blended and forms coarse crumbs. reserve 1/2 (about 2 1/4 cups) for the topping. add applesauce and vanilla to remaining mixture in bowl; stir until well blended. press evenly into bottom of greased foil-lined 13x9-inch baking pan. set aside.
• 2 microwave caramels and milk in medium microwavable bowl on high 2 to 3 minutes or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after every minute. let stand 1 minute. pour over oat mixture in pan, spreading to within 1/2-inch of edges. sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
• 3 bake 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. cool in pan on wire rack. lift from pan. cut into bars.