Caramel Apple Bars recipe

1 1/2 cups oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup applesauce
1/3 cup canola oil
1 medium tart apple, peeled, cored and chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup caramel or butterscotch-caramel ice cream topping

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; mix well. Place 1 cup mixture in small bowl; stir in melted butter. Set aside.

In small bowl, combine applesauce and oil; mix well. Add to oat mixture in large bowl; mix well. Press mixture onto bottom of pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown; cool 10 minutes.

Spoon chopped apples evenly over cooled crust. Drizzle ice cream topping over apples. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture, patting gently.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Makes 32 bars.

Nutrition facts per serving: 100 calories, total fat 3.5 g, saturated fat 1 g, cholesterol 3 mg, sodium 65 mg, total carbohydrates 16 g, dietary fiber 1 g, protein 1 g