¼cupunsalted butter or dairy free buttery sticksat room temperature
1teaspoonlemon juice
2½cupsgluten free rolled oats
½cupbrown sugarpacked
1teaspoonground cinnamon
½teaspoonkosher or fine sea salt
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
2medium applespeeled, cored, and chopped
Caramel Sauce
4tablespoonsbrown sugar
1tablespoonunsalted butter or dairy free butter
2tablespoonscream or full fat coconut milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray an 8 by 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper so that it hangs over the sides of the pan.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the Sunbutter, applesauce, ¼ cup 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 – 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.
Make the 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.