Saturday, November 2, 2013

Apple Crisp Bars with Whipped Caramel Topping



















You will need:

1 1/2 Cups Old Fashioned Quick Oats
1 1/3 Cups All Purpose flour
1 Tsp. Salt
3/4 Tsp. Baking Soda
12 Tbsps. Softened Butter (unsalted)
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Large Eggs
1 Tsp. Vanilla
2 Chopped (Fuji) Apples (recipe follows)
1 Tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Tsp. Ground Cloves

CRUST:
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup Old Fashioned Quick Oats
3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup (1 Stick) Butter
1 Tsp. Cinnamon

TOPPING:
1 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup Prepared Caramel
1 Tsp. Vanilla

Options: Add in 1/4 Cup of Chopped Dried Cranberries and/or Chopped Roasted Walnuts for added texture and taste variations.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 13"x9" glass baking dish and set aside.

In large mixing bowl, mix together butter, brown sugar and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time until blended. Stir in vanilla. Add flour mixture (flour, oats, salt, baking soda and spices) and blend until combined. Fold in chopped apple mixture.

Chopped Apple Mixture:

Take chopped apples and place into small pan with 1 Tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add 1/2 Tsp. of apple pie spice and gently stir over heat for approximately 5-7 minutes and allow to cool for a few minutes. This softens up the apples which produces the perfect texture when added to mix.

With spatula, fold mixture together and spread evenly in baking dish and then spread crust mixture on top.

Crust Mixture:

Add all ingredients (except butter) and mix together until blended. Chop cold butter into chunks and cut into dry ingredients until you have a crumbly mixture (or place in food processor and pulse until crumble consistency).

Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top - mixture will have a cake-like texture when cut.

Top with Whipped Caramel Topping.

Place whipping cream in medium sized mixing bowl and blend at medium speed until it start to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla. Continue blending and add caramel and continue blending until desired consistency.

Chef's Note: This recipe will remind you of an apple crisp, but in a cake-like form with the added crunch topping and the fresh caramel whipped topping signifies this upscale dessert! Bon Appetite!




No comments:

Post a Comment