Ingredients

Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups margarine or butter, melted

Filling:
1 1/2 cups caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups coarsely chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 15-by-10-by-1-inch baking pan. In large bowl, combine all crust ingredients; mix at low speed until crumbly. Press half of crumb mixture, about 21/2 cups, in greased pan. Reserve remaining crumb mixture for topping. Bake at 375 degrees for eight minutes.

In small saucepan over medium heat, combine caramel topping and 1/2 cup flour. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil three to five minutes or until mixture thickens slightly, stirring constantly. Sprinkle apples and nuts onto warm base. Pour caramel mixture evenly over top. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Return to oven and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Cut into bars (for ease in cutting, refrigerate bars). Store in tightly covered container. Makes 4 dozen.