Caramel Apple Bars

5 from 5 votes

Posted by Dan from Platter Talk

Updated Oct 13, 2021

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We put these caramel apple bars together this past weekend at our little weekend retreat in the middle of  Nowhere, Wisconsin. 

A plate of dessert bars on a table

It was one of those autumn weekends replete with sunshine, fall colors, and temperatures in the mid-50’s and low 60’s.  It was Badger football weather and apple cider season.  These bars were  a part of it all and you probably have figured out that they were a wild hit with the boys.  And their dads.

A plate of desserts on a table

Saturday found myself and the four juniors harvesting apples from our lone honey crisp tree from our yard in town.  As one of the boys pointed out, our family effectively reaped the rewards of having our own apple orchard this season, all from the branches of a single tree.

A close up of a plate of food, with Apple

Just a a few short hours later that afternoon within the confines of our small lake cottage, some of the apples were beginning their transition to delicious apple butter that had our whole family basking in fall aromas, all night long – not a bad way to fall asleep.  Or, wake up.

A close up of a apple bar

While making a quick pit stop at the local grocer just six miles from the cottage, one of the boys emphatically asked to make caramel apples this weekend.  Into the cart went a bag of caramels and out of the oven on Sunday morning came the caramel apples, in the form of these bars.

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A close up of dessert on a plate

Not exactly what they had in mind, but let me point out their were no complaints from the boys with these caramel apple bars.  Zero.   They are soft, chewy, and chock-full of autumn.   If you have a few extra apples laying around, put these sweet bars of fall together and savor the season.   Happy fall.   -Dan

 

 

Other deliciously sweet treats

A close up of dessert on a plate
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Caramel Apple Bars

5 from 5 votes
Recipe from Betty Crocker
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Yield: 25 servings
By: Dan from Platter Talk

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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 4 cups coarsely chopped apples
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 bag, 14 oz. caramels

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Mix butter, brown sugar and shortening in large bowl, cream with fork.
  • Stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, the oats, salt, and baking soda.
  • Reserve 2 cups of oat mixture.
  • Over low heat, melt caramels in small sauté pan, stirring occasionally.
  • Press remaining oat mixture into ungreased 13×9 baking dish.
  • In small bowl, mix apples and 3 tablespoons flour and spread over mixture in pan.
  • Pour melted caramel over apples and then sprinkle with reserved oat mixture, press lightly.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender.
  • Cut while warm, store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 264mg, Potassium: 67mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 185IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!

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About Dan from Platter Talk

Dan Zehr is a recipe developer, food photographer, and home cooking expert who has shared tested family recipes on Platter Talk since 2013. Some of the many publications his work has been featured in include Good Housekeeping, Reader’s Digest, and Home Beautiful. Dan has created award-winning recipes for brands like Tyson’s Chicken and has appeared in numerous cooking TV segments and contributed to various cookbooks and curated food collections.

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5 from 5 votes

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17 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    We were looking for a caramel apple recipe that was not just a “caramel apple” recipe. This is perfect!! Love your use of the fall leaves in the picture too!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Megan. Please give this recipe a try and thanks so much for stopping by Platter Talk!

      Reply

  5. 5 stars
    These sound delicious I am so ready for dessert…always eat dessert first just in case you are too full after the meal!

    Reply

  8. 5 stars
    I bet your family was fighting over every last crumb of these scrumptious looking bars! Another beautiful fall dessert for us to love!…

    Reply

  10. I think this was a MUCH better ideas than caramel apples which is probably what the kids had in mind. No doubt they were not disappointed – who could be?

    Reply