Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened1/4 cup shortening1 cup packed brown sugar1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 cup chopped pecans, optionalFILLING:4-1/2 cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples3 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 package (11 ounces) caramels3 tablespoons butter
Preparation
In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add flour, oats, salt and baking soda; mix well. If desired, stir in pecans. Set aside 2 cups. Press remaining oat mixture into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan.
For filling, toss apples with flour; spoon over the crust. In a saucepan, melt the caramels and butter over low heat; drizzle over apples. Top with the reserved oat mixture.
Bake at 400° until lightly browned, 25-30 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.
