Caramel Apple Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 1/2 cups tart apples (peeled and coarsely chopped)
3 Tbsp. all purpose flour
14 oz. pkg. caramels

Preparation

Heat oven to 400\u00b0. Mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl. Stir in the 1 3/4 cups flour, the oats, salt and baking soda. Reserve 2 cups of this mixture. Press remaining mixture into ungreased 13x9 in. pan. Toss apples and the 3 Tbsp. flour. Spread into pan. Heat caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Pour evenly over apples. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Press lightly. Bake at 350\u00b0 for 25-30 minutes. Cut into bars while still warm.