Caramel Apple Bars 🍏🍯
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 36 bars
Description
Got extra apples lying around but not in the mood for pie? Give these delightful caramel apple bars a try! They’re easy to make, with layers of brown sugar and oats embracing tender apples and gooey melted caramel. Perfect for any occasion, from afternoon snacks to holiday gatherings. Let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 1/2 tart apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 (14-ounce) package caramels, unwrapped
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Prepare a rectangular baking pan, 13x9x2 inches, by leaving it ungreased.
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Prepare the Oat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, and margarine. Mix until creamy and well incorporated.
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Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in 1¾ cups of flour, along with the oats, salt, and baking soda. Blend everything together until you have a crumbly mixture.
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Layer the Base: Reserve 2 cups of the oat mixture for later use. Press the remaining oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, forming a solid base.
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Prep the Apples: In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with 3 tablespoons of flour until they are well coated.
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Melt the Caramels: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the caramels, stirring occasionally until smooth and creamy.
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Assemble the Bars: Spread the flour-coated apple slices evenly over the oat base in the baking pan. Once done, pour the melted caramel over the apples, ensuring it covers them evenly.
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Add the Topping: Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the caramel layer. Press lightly to ensure it sticks.
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Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping turns a golden brown and the apples are tender.
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Cut and Serve: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. While still warm, cut the bars into 36 pieces, forming 6 rows by 6 rows.
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Storage: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 145.8
- Fat: 5.2g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3g
- Cholesterol: 7.5mg
- Sodium: 130.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0.9g
- Sugar: 14.8g
- Protein: 1.8g
Recipe Notes
- For best results, use tart apples like Granny Smith for a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.
- Feel free to customize the recipe by adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the apple mixture for extra flavor.
- These bars are best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.
- You can also make these bars ahead of time and freeze them for up to one month. Just thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
