CARAMEL-APPLE BARS

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, chilled
1 can (21-oz) apple pie filling
20 caramels, unwrapped
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, oats, and brown sugar in a bowl; mix well. Stir in baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture. Press the remaining mixture over bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes; cool slightly. Spread pie filling over baked crust.

In a medium saucepan, combine the caramels with the sweetened condensed milk. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. This will take approximately 5 minutes. Pour over pie filling. Mix reserved oats mixture and the walnuts in a bowl. Sprinkle over the caramel layer. Bake about 20 minutes until set. Cool. Cut into bars.

 Note: File Photo