Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups butter or 1 1/4 cups margarine
1 1/2 cups caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup flour
2 cups coarsely chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans
Directions:
Set oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 15 x 10″ baking pan.
In a small pan over low heat, melt butter.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 2 cups oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and melted butter; mix until crumbly.
Press half of the mixture (about 2-1/2 cups) in the prepared baking pan; bake for 8 minutes.
Set aside the remaining crumbs.
In a small pan over medium heat, combine caramel topping and 1/2 cup flour; bring to a boil, stirring constantly; boil for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Spread the apples and the chopped nuts onto the baked crust.
Pour the hot caramel mixture evenly over apples and nuts; sprinkle reserved crumbly mixture evenly over the top of caramel.
Return pan to oven; bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool completely in the pan.
Cut into bars (refrigeration makes cutting easier).
Store tightly covered.
Servings: 35
Time preparation: 20 min.
Time total: 55 min.