Caramel apples are one of my favorite things evereverever.
But ya see, I have this *thing* with biting into apples. Maybe it was because when I was a kid, I had this loose tooth and my cousin so brightly suggested I bite down hard into an apple to somehow dislodge said tooth. After trying and trying and biting and biting, we eventually just yanked the damn tooth out — but that terrible feeling of biting directly into a hard fruit with a wiggly tooth will forever scar my soul.
So when it comes to my beloved caramel apples, I have to be the spoiled, inconvenient brat who requests they’re cut. And you can always tell the people hate the spoiled, inconvenient brats like me because I’ll politely ask if it’s possible to cut it prettyprettyplease and they’ll kind of sigh, and in that moment you know they’re thinking, “god, what a spoiled, inconvenient brat; I should just lie and say we don’t cut them” but what comes out is, “...yeah, we can” in some kind of painful reluctance.
I mean, I kind of wish I could just tell them I had some horrible dental-related accident as a child which prevents me from directly biting into anything, especially apples, but I do not think unsuspecting candy shop workers really want to hear a story about my tooth being ripped from my skull. So I kind of omit it and feel bad because if only they knew the truth, they’d possibly be more understanding to my ailment.
Anyhoot. Let’s talk magic bars. You know I love the hell outta them. They’re one of my favorite treats to make because they’re so simple and creating wacky flavors is my specialty. I knew I needed to create a Caramel Apple version, so when Oreo released those Caramel Apple Oreos, I was alllllll over that shizz with the idea of making these here bars.
And my, they do not disappoint.
I was worried they wouldn’t be super apple-y, but the apple flavor is just there enough that it isn’t overwhelming. The rest of the flavor is buttery caramel, specks of cinnamon, and lots of gooey richness that makes stopping at one hunk o’ bar nearly impossible.
So go ahead: eat the entire pan. Cutting them would make you so inconvenient 🙂
- 1 box Pillsbury Caramel Apple Cookie/Cake Mix
- 1 egg
- ½ cup oil
- About 20 Caramel Apple Oreos, roughly chopped
- 1 pkg Caramel Apple Milky Ways, unwrapped and cut in halves
- ½ cup caramel bits
- ½ cup cinnamon chips
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- Caramel sauce, for a finished drizzling
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9" baking pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Mist the foil liberally with cooking spray and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg and oil with a spoon until a soft dough has formed. Evenly press the dough into the baking pan and bake off for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, but keep the oven on. Immediately and evenly top with the chopped Oreos, chopped Milky Ways, caramel bits and cinnamon chips. Drizzle evenly with sweetened condensed milk.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the center appears set and the top is bubbly and browned. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving, if desired.
Ermahgerd, folks. These are the real deal for caramel apple lovers like myself. Rich, gooey, chewy and packed with just enough tart apple flavor and buttery spiced caramel sauce. A must-make!!
Have a great day!
xo, Hayley
Sophian says
Do you have a Save This Recipe button on your site or am I looking over it?
Sophian says
BY THE WAY THESE LOOK AMAAAZZZING!!!!
I HOPE I CAN FIND ALL THE INGREDIENTS.
MY FAMILY ABSOLUTELY LOVE CARAMEL APPLES ,MILKYWAYS AND OREOS.
Never heard of these oreos , the cake or the milkyways.
Cant wait to make Thanks! for the post.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
ooooooooooooey gooooooey goodness!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
one word: swooooooon
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
You are so not a brat. I have to cut mine otherwise I mess up my jaw trying to gnaw off a piece of a whole apple, which usually leads to me just not eating them. >_< Now these bars, however, look absolutely full of caramel apple goodness and no jaw-breaking madness. 😀
laura says
I have called Target stores in my area. They are all out of the caramel apple cookies. I have everything to bake the bars except the cookies. Could I use a different flavor for the bars. After all the expense I don’t want to ruin a good recipe. I can not believe the stores are out of this cookie. Fall just began.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Laura! Oh no, I’m so sorry your Target stores are all out – what a bummer! 🙁 you can absolutely substitute regular Golden Oreos instead! It may have less of a caramel apple flavor, but it will be still be delicious!
LAURA says
Thank you. I have of course found the Oreos on Amazon. Not sure I want to buy that many at that price.
Thank you will be making these next week.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Cray cray good here! Need a couple of these for dinner tonight 🙂 Pinned!