Starbucks Caramel Apple Bars

spiritussancto's Note:

Makes me so sad that you can't get these anymore so I made my own! So not healthy but they're so good. Shortbread, apple pie filling, crumble topping, and caramel, how can you go wrong!?

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 9

Yield: 9.0 bars

FOR THE FILLING

• 2 granny smith apples (large, cored, peeled, and cut in 1 cm cubes)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 -3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

FOR THE SHORTBREAD CRUST

• 1/2 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I usually substitute 1 Tbsp flour for corn starch)
• 1/4 cup icing sugar

FOR THE TOPPING

• 1/2 cup icing sugar (scant 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup sugar (scant 1/2 cup)
• 3/4 cup flour (scant 3/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened (scant 1/2 cup)
• 3 -4 tablespoons caramel topping

Directions:

1. Core and peel apples, cut into 1 cm cubes.
2. For the filling, combine apples in a small pot with water, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch.
3. Set on medium-low heat to soften while you prepare the crust and topping.
4. For the shortbread crust, mix the icing sugar into the butter.
5. Add the flour and stir until smooth and whipped-looking.
6. Spread crust mixture evenly into the bottom on a 9"x9" pan.
7. Once the apples are softened but not mushy, spread on top of the crust.
8. Mix the icing sugar, sugar, and flour of the topping ingredients; stir in the butter until it is crumbly like moist bread crumbs.
9. Take handfuls of the topping and sprinkle over the apples, breaking up big clumps until you can't see apples anymore. You may not use all of the topping.
10. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top; cool completely.
11. Drizzle with caramel ice cream topping in a nice diagonal grid.
12. Cut into 9 pieces.
13. If you want to be really decadent, you could serve it with ice cream.