Caramel Apple Bars

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup shortening (or 3/4 stick crisco all-vegetable shortening sticks, plus additional for greasing pan)
• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 3/4 cups quick oats, uncooked
• 3 -4 granny smith apples (or golden delicious apples)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 (14 ounce) bag caramel candies, unwrapped

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350ºf. grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with shortening.
• 2 combine 3/4 cup shortening and brown sugar in large bowl. beat at medium speed with electric mixer; add egg. beat until well blended.
• 3 mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, salt and baking soda. add gradually to creamed mixture. add in oats. mix until blended. reserve 1 1/4 cups of mixture for topping. press remaining mixture into prepared pan. bake 10 minutes.
• 4 toss apples with 2 tablespoons flour and lemon juice. distribute apple mixture evenly over partially baked crust. press in lightly.
• 5 place caramels in microwave-safe bowl. microwave on high (100% power) 1 minute. stir. repeat until caramels are melted. drizzle melted caramel evenly over apples. crumble reserved topping evenly over caramel.
• 6 bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until apples are tender and top is golden brown (do not overbake). loosen caramel from sides of pan with knife. cool completely. cut into 1 1/2 inch bars. cover tightly with plastic wrap to store.