Ingredients

Crust:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

Apple Pie Filling:

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of cloves

Topping:

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Your favorite caramel sauce

Instructions

Crust:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with foil or parchment paper, leaving enough to hang over the edges. Spritz with nonstick baking spray and set aside.

Mix the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a medium bowl then stir in the flour until well combined. Firmly pat the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 15 minutes then remove from the oven and set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Increase the oven heat to 350 degrees F.

Apple Pie Filling:

Toss the sliced apples with flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cloves until apples are evenly coated. Set aside.

Topping:

Combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Cut the chilled butter in with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture forms small crumbs.

Assembly:

Layer the apples tightly on top of the crust. Press down to pack them in.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple layer, pressing gently.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes then place in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours.

Using the foil or parchment overhang, lift the bars out and cut into 16 squares.

Drizzle with your favorite caramel sauce right before serving.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tip:

Recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Bake the crust 18 minutes, and extend the assembled baking-dish baking time to a total of 45 to 50 minutes.