Soft, chewy bars with tender apples and rich caramel, ideal for a cozy and budget-friendly dessert option.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Cookie Base
01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Apple Filling
09 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
10 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Caramel Layer
12 - 3/4 cup soft caramels, unwrapped
13 - 2 tablespoons milk
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract; mix until fully incorporated.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
04 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir just until combined. Reserve 1/2 cup dough, then press remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.
05 - Toss diced apples with granulated sugar and cinnamon. Spread mixture evenly over the cookie base.
06 - Combine caramels and milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and pourable, about 1 minute.
07 - Drizzle melted caramel evenly over the apple layer.
08 - Crumble the reserved dough over the caramel layer in small pieces.
09 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until the top is golden and set. Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into 16 bars.
