Caramel Apple Bars

This is from BettyCrocker.com. Warning: you can't eat just one! I'm generally a healthy eater but polished off several of these delicious beauties before they were even cool. YUMMMMMMM!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 36 bars

Ingredients

• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, softened
• 1⁄4 cup shortening (I used butter flavor Crisco)
• 1 3⁄4 cups flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 5  cups  coarsely chopped peeled tart apples
• 3  tablespoons flour
• 14  ounces  chewy  caramels

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400* F.
2. Mix brown sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl.
3. Stir in 1 3/4 c flour, the oats, salt and baking soda.
4. Reserve 2 c of oat mixture; press remaining mixture in ungreased 13x9x2 inches pan.
5. Toss apples and 3 T flour; spread over mixture in pan.
6. Heat caramels over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted; pour evenly over apples (don't worry if it's not perfect- caramel will even out during baking).
7. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture; press lightly.
8. Bake 25-30 minutes or until topping is golden, apples are tender, and caramel is set.
9. Store covered in refrigerator (if they last that long!).