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Caramel Apple Bars 

Prep time: 30 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Yield: 4 dozen bars

Ingredients:

CRUST
3/4cup Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
OR 3/4 stick Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks, plus additional for greasing pan
1cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1/2teaspoon salt
1/2teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4cups quick oats, uncooked
FILLING
3 to 4 (about 4 cups) Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
2tablespoons Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1teaspoon lemon juice
1 (14 oz.)bag caramel candies, unwrapped

Preparation Directions:

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.