Caramel Apple Oat Squares

APPLE OAT SQUARES
non-stick cooking spray
3/4 cup SunButter® (we used Creamy)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter or dairy free buttery sticks, at room temperature
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2-1/2 cups gluten free rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

CARAMEL SAUCE
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter or dairy free butter
2 tablespoons cream or full fat coconut milk

APPLE OAT SQUARES
Heat oven to 350°F.

Generously spray an 8×8- inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper so that it hangs over the sides of the pan; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, stir together the Sunbutter, applesauce, butter and lemon juice until smooth. Add the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Stir in the chopped apples. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Level the top with a spatula. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and fairly firm (they will firm up more after cooling but will always be on the soft side).

Let cool to room temperature then refrigerate for 2 hours or up to a day ahead.

Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the parchment out. Place on a cutting board and cut into 16 squares.

CARAMEL SAUCE
In a small skillet or saucepan, mix all the sauce ingredients and cook over low heat, stirring, until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Drizzle over the top of the bars.