Caramel Apple Bars

I have been searching high and low for apple recipes, that didn't take a lot of work on my part and that I wouldn't need to BUY a lot of ingredients. Well, I came across this recipe and I actually have all of the ingredients. For more apple recipes check out the website... Best Apples

Caramel Apple Bars
Servings:
Makes 16 Bars
Nutrition Information:
Protein: 3g; Fat: 9g; Carbohydrate: 32g; Fiber: .8g; Sodium: 113mg; Cholesterol: 41mg; Calories: 215.

For times when a little indulgence is deserved, this sweet and buttery, gooey and crunchy treat is just right.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Golden Delicious apples, cored and chopped
1 cup caramel candies, each cut in quarters
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Method:

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan. In medium-size bowl, combine 1 cup flour and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer mixture to pan and press in an even layer in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.

2) In same mixing bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and remaining 1/4 cup flour; stir in apples, caramels, and nuts. Pour over bottom crust. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly; cut into quarters lengthwise and crosswise to make 16 bars. Cool completely.

Apple-Cinnamon Upside-Down Cake

A twist on the American classic apple pie.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 3 apples, Empire or Gala (about 1 1/2 pounds), each peeled, cored, and sliced into 8 wedges
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat bottom and side of a 9-inch round cake pan with 2 tablespoons butter; sprinkle bottom with brown sugar. In a medium bowl, toss apples with lemon juice; arrange in prepared pan in two concentric circles (you might not use all of them).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.
3. With an electric mixer, beat remaining 8 tablespoons butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until incorporated. With mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture in three parts and the milk in two, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
4. Spoon batter over apples in pan; smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack, at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours (if cake has risen above rim of pan, simply push back inside rim).
5. To serve, run a knife around edge of pan, and invert cake onto a rimmed platter.