Caramel Apple Bars

So I signed up for this thing called "Twitter" the other day. I guess it's like, some sort of social networking site where you update what you're doing and talk to people. Something like that. :0

I had a Twitter account a few months ago, but I deleted it because I didn't use it, and then one day I wanted to get it back, and they wouldn't let me! So that Twitter account is gone forever. I hope I don't do the same thing with this one. I'm very wishy-washy when it comes to Twitter. Some days I like it, some days I don't. And I usually forget to update it and talk to people and stuff. But the other day I had a lovely conversation with my friend, Sue, about pear crisp, and that was nice. She's having a cookbook giveaway, by the way.

Where was I going with this? Well, I'm not sure. I guess I just wanted to tell you I have Twitter now. So we can like, talk and stuff. I even have it on my phone. Oooh. I'm so technologically savvy.



Other topics for today, November 6, 2009, include:
-I bought a new $9 Hamilton Beach hand mixer from Walmart. My other hand mixer was gradually falling apart every time I used it. Beater by beater. Switch by switch.
-Did you watch the Top Chef reunion dinner the other night? Zzzzzzz.
-I worked out on the treadmill today for the first time in years. While watching Paula Deen make sausage balls.
-I made caramel apple bars using leftover caramels from my pie.

These are spicy-cakey bars with applesauce and grated apple in them, topped with caramel frosting and toasted pecans. Glorious!

Caramel Apple Bars (Recipe by Me)
Printable Recipe

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup grated apple, drained
1/2 cup applesauce

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 caramels, unwrapped
3 tablespoons milk
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 13x9-inch baking dish.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, clove and nutmeg. In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together 1/2 cup butter and brown sugar until creamy - about 1 minute; beat in egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, apple and applesauce until well combined - about 1 minute. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour mixture until combined.

Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

To make the caramel glaze, melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook for 3-4 minutes or until butter foams and turns golden brown. Reduce heat to low and stir in caramels and milk until melted; whisk in confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt until combined. Pour and spread glaze over the top of apple bars; evenly sprinkle with pecans. Cool completely before slicing.

Makes 20 bars