Southern Caramel Apple Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2/3 cup butter
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 granny smith apples, peeled and very coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 24 caramel candies, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons milk

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350°f grease 13x9-mch baking dish.
• 2 whisk flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in medium bowl. melt butter in medium saucepan. remove from heat; stir in brown sugar and granulated sugar with spoon. add egg and vanilla; stir until well blended. add flour mixture; mix well. press into bottom of prepared baking dish; top with apples.
• 3 bake 40 to 45 minutes or until edges are browned and pulling away from sides of pan. cool completely in pan on wire rack.
• 4 toast pecans in medium nonstick skillet over medium- high heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly, or until fragrant. remove from skillet; set aside. wipe out skillet with paper towel. heat caramels and milk in same skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth.
• 5 drizzle caramel sauce over cooled apple bars; sprinkle with pecans. let stand 30 minutes before cutting into bars.