Caramel Apple Bars

 

Caramel Apple Bars

Ingredients

Caramel Apple Filling

• 3 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 T. flour
• 1 T. brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 T. caramel sauce

Crumble Dough

• 1 1/4 c. flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 8 T. butter at room temperature
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 T. water
• 3 T. chopped pecans
• 2 T. caramel sauce

Instructions

• Line an 8” x 8” baking dish with parchment paper and lightly mist with cooking spray.

  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Prepare the filling:   Make sure the apples are thinly sliced then slightly chopped.  Toss the apples with the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Add the caramel and stir to combine.  Set aside.
• Prepare the dough:. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder.  Set aside.  In a stand mixer, put the butter and the brown and granulated sugars.  Mix until fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Add the vanilla and mix.  Then add the dry ingredients, mixing until combined, but crumbly. Add the water and mix until large crumbles form.  Reserve 3/4 cup of the mixture to use for topping.
• Press the remaining dough into the prepared baking dish.  Add the apple filling.  Add the reserved dough over the top.  Sprinkle the pecans over the crumble topping.  Bake for about 55 minutes until golden-brown. Allow to cool in the baking dish for 30 minutes.
• Carefully remove the bars from the baking dish using the parchment paper to lift them out.  Allow to completely cool on a wire rack.  Once cooled, drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce over the top.  Cut into bars and serve.