Caramel Apple Bars

By smleonard

Ingredients

• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 3/4 cup caramel-flavored ice cream topping
• 3 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
• 3 cups apple-cinnamon-flavored round toasted oat cereal (Cheerios)
• 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apples
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Preparation

Step 1

1. Line an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil up over edges of pan. Butter the foil. In a large saucepan combine 3/4 cup of the peanut butter, 1/2 cup of the ice cream topping, and the brown sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat just until mixture starts to bubble. Remove from heat. Add cereal and apples; stir gently to coat. Transfer to prepared pan; press firmly into pan.
2. In a small bowl stir together remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup ice cream topping. Spread evenly over bars and sprinkle with peanuts, pressing lightly. Let bars stand 1 hour to set. Use foil to lift from pan. Cut into bars. Makes 16 bars.