Easy Caramel Apple Bars

Ingredients

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

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
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 9×13-inch baking pan.
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. 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.