Apple Pie Bars with Salted Caramel

​

Crust

• 3/4 c (170g) Butter, softened

• 1/2 c (100g) Sugar

• 1.5 tsp Vanilla extract

• 1.5 c (190g) all-purpose flour

Apple filling​

• 3 large apples, peeled & sliced (1/4" thick)

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1.5 tsp cinnamon

Topping​

• 1/4 c (60g) butter, cold & grated

• 1/2 c (40g) oats (old-fashioned)

• 1/3 c (70g) brown sugar (packed)

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4c (30g) all-purpose flour

• salted caramel sauce

Directions​

• Preheat oven to 300 F. Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper with overhang on all sides.

• Crust: Mix melted butter, sugar & vanilla in a bowl, add flour until mixture is combined. Press mixture into the baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

• Filling: Mix sliced apples, flour, sugar & cinnamon together until all of the apples are coated. Set aside.

• Topping: Toss oats, brown sugar, cinnamon & flour together. Cut in cold, grated butter with a pastry cutter or 2 forks till mixture is coarse crumbs.

• Turn oven to 350 F. Layer the apple slices on top of the warm crust as even as possible. Sprinkle topping over apple & bake for 35-40 minutes or till topping is golden brown.

• Remove from oven & cool for 20 minutes then chill in the fridge for 2 hours ( or longer). Lift the parchment out of the pan & cut into bars. Drizzle salted caramel sauce on top. These bars may be eaten warm, room temperature or cold !