Caramel Apple Pie Bars

I am not much of a cake fan. I mean, it's ok. And I will eat it. But given a choice, I would probably choose brownies, or ice cream, or cookies, or pie, or pretty much any another dessert. When I was little we had Pumpkin Pie for my birthday one year. And instead of a wedding cake, we had Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler. Last week was my birthday, and my mom made me these incredible Caramel Apple Pie bars while we were out for a visit. It's like an apple crisp but easy to eat, and even tastier.

The recipe takes a little while, but it is so worth it. Feel free to double any part of the recipe if you like more apples, more caramel or more crust.

Caramel Apple Bars

1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
¼ cup shortening
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda

4 1/2 cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples (3 medium)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 bag (14 ounces) caramels
(I just made my own caramel sauce: ½ cup
evaporated milk, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup butter cook over medium-high
heat stirring constantly until the temperature reaches soft boil stage OR it is
yummy to double this!)

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF. Mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl.
Stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, the oats, salt and baking soda. Reserve 2 cups oat
mixture; press remaining oat mixture in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2
inches.
Toss apples and 3 tablespoons flour; spread over mixture in pan. Heat
caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted; pour evenly over
apples. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture; press lightly.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are
tender. Can be eaten warm with a fork, or chill and eat as a bar. Store covered in refrigerator.