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Caramel Apple Granola Bars

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 A pan of these Caramel Apple Granola Bars and a glass of apple cider is the perfect way to enjoy an after school snack this fall.
Caramel Apple Granola Bars - easy snack bars loaded with caramel, oats, and apple goodness. Great fall treat!
I have a small confession to make…I’m a lazy shopper.
You know the one who parks at one store, goes in, comes back out,
gets back in the car, and drives to the next store….you know, the store that is only 2 stores over!
I must say, I do have good intentions of walking to the next store.
After all, when I am exercising and running outside, I run at least 3 miles.
So, what makes me get back in the car for such a short distance?
apple oatmeal bars
Usually I have some bags from the first store that I don’t want to lug around the 2nd store,
so I will walk to the van and put them in.
Then logic (or craziness) takes over and I think to myself,
“Why not just drive over?  You are already at the van.  Just get in and get a little closer.”
I like to think of it as the non-exercise devil that sits on my shoulder…
the one that also tells me it’s ok to miss an exercise routine…one day won’t matter.
Until here it is 3 weeks later, and I haven’t worked out much at all.
It’s now jeans weather and somehow those jeans in my drawer shrunk over the summer.
It’s bad people.
Maybe if I start being, oh I don’t know, not such a lazy bum!!!
Time to flick the little pest off my shoulder and man up and do some work.
First step, I’m going to park once and walk to all stores…
well, all that are in walking distance.
I wouldn’t want to park at Target and walk the 2 miles to Walmart.
Second step, get back on the daily exercise wagon.
No, I don’t want to do it, but I have no intention of buying new jeans.
They may look painted on for a few weeks, but I have a plan.
Ok, moving on…

A couple months ago, I made these oatmeal bars.
My kids loved them so much that I knew we were going to make them a lot!
So, for APPLICIOUS WEEK I decided to change out the salty chips from the last ones
with fun apple chips…and Rolos.
Because adding Rolos to anything is the way to go.
Shhhh…don’t tell the jeans what we are making.

There’s another confession coming today.
I had every intention of baking my own apple chips for these granola bars.
I had the apples in our fridge…all I had to do was slice them thin and bake them.
It’s easy to do.

Until I was walking into the grocery store the other day for the Rolos.
Right now every store has their Fall displays up.
The ones that get you to throw extra things into your cart.
Things like apple cider, Halloween candy, caramel apples…
apple chips!?!?!?

A whole end cap of apple chips were staring me down.
What should I do?  I DO need apple chips for the granola bars.
I stood there for a few minutes wrestling with the bag of chips.
The bag might have been picked up and put down a minimum of 5 times.

There are apples at home…I don’t need these.
But these are already baked.
I can be all homemaker-y and make my own.
It’s one less thing I have to do today.

Until I looked at the price…$1 for a bag?
Shoot!  That sealed the deal.
The bag went into my cart and I went to pay.
Score – 1 point for the grocery store getting me to buy something I didn’t need and
0 points for me being lazy again.

I recommend trying these fun granola bars.
They will taste the same if you buy or make your own chips!
Who doesn’t like crumbly soft granola bars with chewy Rolo candies and apples?

The kids devoured all of these fun bars…I guess it’s time to make another batch.
The good thing with these bars is that you can pretty much add anything to them.

So all those extra bags of Halloween candy that has been jumping in your cart…
sure, why not.  Add it to these caramel apple granola bars!
It’s my way of thinking I’m eating healthier.

And I wonder why my jeans shrunk!!!

Make sure you visit all my Applicious Friends to see what apple goodies they made this week.

4 Sisters from Crumbs and Chaos
Carrie from Bakeaholic Mama
Averie from Averie Cooks
Cassie from Bake your Day
Ali from Jam Hands
6 Sisters from Six Sisters Stuff
Aimee from Shugary Sweets

Or follow along on our Pinterest Board : Applicious Goodies

Caramel Apple Granola Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 12

Caramel Apple Granola Bars

Easy oatmeal bars made with caramel bits and apple chips.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 c. butter
  • 3/4 c. brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp. caramel extract
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 2 1/2 c. quick oats
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 c. Rolos, quartered
  • 1 c. apple chips, crushed lightly
  • 3/4 c. miniature marshmallow bits
  • 1/4 c. chocolate chips
  • 1/2 tsp. shortening

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the caramel extrac and eggs and cream again. Stir together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly add it to the butter mixture. Add the oatmeal a little bit at a time. The dough will be very stiff. Stir in the Rolos, marshmallows, and apple chips by hand.
  2. Spread in a greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into 16 bars.
  3. In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and shortening. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat until melted and creamy. Place in a plastic bag and cut one corner off. Drizzle over the bars. Let set. Store in a sealed container.
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Comments

  1. OK, these bars on on my list, they are healthy! of course I also consider sugary cereal with 8 vitamins and minerals healthy, but I’m just going with it.
    And what is it with candy and other items not on the shopping list calling to us from across the store “buy me, you know you want to.” Talk about subliminal messages. I’ve gone into the grocery store with out a cart or basket just so I won’t pick up more than I can carry in my arms!

    Reply

  5. You lazy sloth.
    Haha. Just wanted to say that, clear in public. SLOTH.
    Okay, now that we have that out of the way…can I be a sloth with you? I totally have jeans that SHRUNK. Clearly, it’s not me right? UGH, I am dying to go shopping for some fall clothes….but just want to drop a few pounds first. What exercise plan you going to kick start? I want to do it too!

    Reply

  13. I’ve been thinking today about making granola bars but wasn’t sure on the flavour. You just sealed a deal from me to make these. I’m a lazy shopper too but then it’s normally more of a hike with a full grocery cart to the car with 3 moany bored kids. But then I’m arthritic, I have an excuse! I would have totally put the apple chips in. Ironically, I haven’t seen those in the local shop for such a low price so I’ll be all homemaker-y on that!

    -Lisa.
    Sweet 2 Eat Baking

    Reply

    • I found the caramel extract at Walmart in the baking aisle. You could just use vanilla in place of it if you like. You could use the coconut oil in place of the shortening. It is just to think the chocolate a little to drizzle better.

      Reply

  15. Jocelyn, you know i’m a HUGE granola bar/granola gal!!! I remember your caramel granola bars from earlier this summer and have had them pinned for awhile now! but caramel APPLE makes me so giddy and excited! And that chocolate drizzle… sinful 🙂 I’ve never baked with caramel extract before! yum.

    Reply

  22. Jocelyn,
    Too funny because all those things jump right in my cart at the grocery store too 🙂 These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. I will probably have to go get more goodies though to add. Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday each week. Have a great week.
    Michelle

    Reply

  24. These look so yummy! I’m going to try to make them for my little girl who inhales granola bars. Maybe just leave out the rolos so I can pretend they are healthy? Right? Apples? Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • They are mini marshmallow bits that come in a container. They are like the marshmallows in hot chocolate packets. I buy them at Walmart and Target where the regular marshmallows are sold.

      Reply

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