These apple crisp bars are a tasty hand-held version of everyone's favorite fall snack. They have a buttery crust, a tart apple filling, sweet caramel, and oats on top.
Ingredient
-¾ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
-2 cups all-purpose flour
-½ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
-½ teaspoon apple pie spice
-Pinch of salt
* For the apple filling:
-5 large apples peeled, cored and cut into ¼-inch-thick slices (about 5 cups apple slices)
-Juice of half a lemon
-1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-3 tablespoons lightly packed light brown sugar
-1 teaspoon apple pie spice
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Ingredient
For the topping:
-¾ cup all-purpose flour
-¾ cup rolled oats
-¾ cup lightly packed brown sugar
-½ teaspoon baking powder
-1 teaspoon apple pie spice
-Pinch salt
-½ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
For the caramel (optional):
-25 Werther’s Original Soft Caramels
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INSTRUCTION
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and parchment a 13x9 pan. Set aside.Mix the crust ingredients in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed until the dough resembles coarse sand and no large butter bits remain.
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Step 1
Press the mixture into the pan bottom with your hands or a measuring cup. Bake 12 minutes until rims are golden and center firm. Set aside.
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Step 2
A huge bowl has apple slices, lemon juice, and vanilla bean paste. Sprinkle apples with flour, sugar, and pie spice. Set aside.
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Step 3
No need to wash between crust and topping—add flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice, and salt to stand mixer bowl. Stir 30 seconds by paddle. Mix in butter on low speed for 1-2 minutes until no dry ingredients remain and mixture clumps.
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Step 4
Unwrap and cut each caramel into four pieces with nonstick cooking spray-sprayed kitchen scissors for the caramel layer. Place these pieces on crust evenly.
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Step 5
Place half the crust topping below. Spread apple filling and top with remaining topping.Bake 40–45 minutes until apples soften and topping browns. Cool before slicing.Optional salted caramel ice cream.