CARAMEL APPLE BARS (DESSERT for PICNIC)

CRUST<>1/2 CUP BUTTER<>1/4 CUP SHORTENING<>1 CUP PACKED BROWN SUGAR<>1 3/4 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR<>1 CUP OLD FASHIONED or QUICK-COOKING OATS<>1 TEASPOON SALT<>1/2 TEASPOON BAKING SODA<>1/2 CUP CHOPPED PECANS<>NOW FOR (FILLING)<>4 1/2 CUPS COARSELY CHOPPED PEELED BAKING (APPLES)<>3 TABLESPOONS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR<>1 PACKAGE (14 ounces) CARAMELS<>3 TABLESPOONS BUTTER<><>IN A MIXING BOWL, CREAM BUTTER, AND BROWN SUGAR UNTIL FLUFFY<>ADD FLOUR, OATS, SALT AND BAKING SODA, MIX WELL.<>STIR IN PECANS .<>SET ASIDE 2 CUPS. PRESS REMAINING OAT MIXTURE INTO THE BOTTOM OF AN UNGREASED 13x9inx2in BAKING PAN><><>FILLING TOSS (APPLES with flour, SPOON OVER THE CRUST.<><>IN A SAUCEPAN, (MELT THE CARAMELS and BUTTER over low heat.and (DRIZZLE OVER APPLES)TOP WITH RESERVED OAT MIXTURE.<>BAKE 400 degrees F for 25-30 MINUTES UNTIL LIGHTLY BROWNED, and BUBBLY<>COOL before CUTTING into BARS<>YIELD 15-20 small BARS.<>YUMMY!!!!