Happy first day of autumn! Here's a really great recipe that's perfect for this time of year.
Caramel Apple Crumble Bars - Adapted from Annie's Eats
INGREDIENTS
Apple Filling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large apples, peeled, cored, and cut into small pieces (see
photo below)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dough
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 tablespoon cold unsalted
butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Filling
11 ounces of caramel candies like the ones found here
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375F. Butter a 9x9 baking pan.
Note: For easier removal, butter and line the pan with
parchment then butter the parchment.
2. In a large skillet melt the 2 tablespoons of butter.
Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Sauté for 15
minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside.
My favorite vanilla extract
3. In a large
bowl, combine flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir and
combine. Add butter chunks, egg, and vanilla. Combine well using a pastry
blender until mixture comes together and becomes crumbly.
4. Take two thirds of the dough and evenly press it down
into the baking pan. Bake for 12 minutes.
5. While the base is baking, make the caramel filling. In
a medium saucepan, combine unwrapped caramels and whipping cream. Melt over
medium heat and stir frequently until combined and melted. Pour onto the base
and spread evenly. Add the baked apple filling over the caramel and spread
evenly. Add the remaining one third of the dough to the top, covering apples.
6. Bake on the middle rack for 25 minutes or until the
top is a golden brown. Allow to cool completely before cutting and serving.
