1 3/4
cups plus 3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour, divided
1 1/2
cups quick-cooking oats
1
teaspoon salt
1/2
teaspoon baking soda
4 1/2
cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples (3 medium)
1
bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped
Instructions
Step
1
Heat oven to 400°F.
Step
2
Mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl until smooth and well blended.
Step
3
Stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, the oats, salt and baking soda until crumbly.
Step
4
Reserve 2 cups oat mixture; press remaining oat mixture in ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
Step
5
In large bowl, toss apples and remaining 3 tablespoons of the flour. Top crust evenly with apple mixture.
Step
6
In small saucepan, heat caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted.
Step
7
Drizzle melted caramel evenly over apples.
Step
8
Sprinkle reserved oat mixture over caramels; press lightly.
Step
9
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.
Step
10
Cool at least 20 minutes on cooling rack before serving. For 36 bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm. Store covered in refrigerator.
If you just want to experiment with this recipe, we’ve got a wonderful idea for you — make a date with Date Bars! Instead of the apples, flour and caramels, use 1 pound or about 3 cups of pitted Medjool dates in the recipe.
The substitution is simple: In a medium pot, combine the dates with 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 cup sugar and cook them over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes or until thickened. Set the dates aside to cool, and then layer them over the oat mixture, just like you would have done with the apples and melted caramels.
To prevent your apples from browning, wait to chop them until after you’ve combined the streusel mixture.
Store bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The caramel layer will harden, so let them stand at room temperature for a few minutes to soften or warm them in a 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size:1 Serving
Calories
145
Calories from Fat
45
Total Fat
5 g
Saturated Fat
3 g
Cholesterol
10 mg
Sodium
130 mg
Potassium
80 mg
Total Carbohydrate
24 g
Dietary Fiber
1 g
Protein
2 g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
2%
2%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
2%
2%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 1 Fruit; 1 Fat;
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
