GOOEY CARAMEL APPLE BARS

Gooey Caramel Apple Bars image

Instead of preparing plenty of pies when feeding a crowd at Thanksgiving, we suggest you bake of batch of these caramel apple bars.-Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

5 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 teaspoons sugar
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1-1/4 cups butter-flavored shortening
3 large eggs
1/4 cup cold water
2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
FILLING:
10-1/2 cups sliced peeled tart apples (about 12 medium)
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1-3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup butter, cubed
1 cup chopped walnuts
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, water and vinegar; gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball., Divide dough in half so that one portion is slightly larger than the other; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. , Roll out larger portion of dough between two sheets of waxed paper into a 17x12-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Press pastry onto the bottom and up the sides of pan; trim pastry even with top edges of pan. , In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Stir in cream. , In a Dutch oven, melt butter. Add apple mixture; cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until apples are slightly tender. Stir in walnuts and vanilla. Spoon into crust. , Roll out remaining pastry; place over filling. Trim and seal edges. Cut slits in top. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 362 calories, Fat 18g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 204mg sodium, Carbohydrate 46g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein.