Easy Caramel Apple Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 0.5 cups butter , softened
• 0.25 cups shortening
• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 package individually wrapped caramels , 14 ounce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 4.5 cups apple - peeled , cored, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. 2

   To make the crust: Beat brown sugar, butter, and shortening together in a large bowl until smooth. Combine 1 ¾ cups flour, oats, baking soda and salt; stir into creamed mixture until well blended. Set aside 2 cups of this mixture. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch baking pan.

3. 3

   Toss apples with lemon juice in a medium bowl, then toss them with 3 tablespoons of flour. Spread apple mixture evenly over prepared crust. Melt caramels in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Pour melted caramels evenly over apples. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture over top of apples; press down lightly.

4. 4

   Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and apples are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cut while slightly warm and refrigerate any leftover bars.