# What You Need:
→ Cookie Base
01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Apple Filling
09 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
10 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
→ Caramel Layer
12 - 3/4 cup soft caramels, unwrapped
13 - 2 tablespoons milk
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth; add egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl; incorporate into wet mixture just until blended.
04 - Reserve 1/2 cup of dough; press remaining dough evenly into prepared pan to create the base layer.
05 - Toss diced apples with granulated sugar and cinnamon; evenly distribute over cookie base.
06 - Combine caramels and milk in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth and pourable.
07 - Drizzle melted caramel evenly over the apple layer.
08 - Crumble reserved dough into small pieces and scatter over caramel layer.
09 - Bake 28 to 32 minutes until golden and set. Allow to cool completely in pan before lifting out and slicing into bars.
