Caramel Peanut Butter Squares

I can't believe Halloween just past. It already feels like Christmas! Where I live we just got our first snowfall. Time passes quickly, doesn't it?

I mentioned in my Brown Rice Syrup post about a recipe I was dying to try. The recipe I had in mind were the Apple Peanut Butter Caramel squares from Veganomicon. The  recipe only calls for a small amount of brown rice syrup in the peanut butter caramel but I think it makes all the difference. The brown rice syrup makes a gooey and sweet topping.



I also changed this recipe so that it was vegan and gluten free.


This bar is subtly sweet and almost melts on your tongue. If your done all of your Halloween candy (or trying desperately not to finish it off), I think this is a perfect substitute as it almost reminds me of some sort of candy confection. It also is a great option for those of you who are vegan or gluten free and can't indulge in many candies.
You can alternatively just eat the peanut butter caramel (perfectly acceptable)


PS. Make sure to spray the pan and be careful when removing the bars as they crumble easily. If yours do crumble they still taste delicious and makes a perfect ice cream topping.

Caramel Peanut Butter Squares
Makes 12 bars
Bars adapted from Veganomicon and oatmeal crust adapted from here


Oatmeal crust:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/3 cup agave syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt


Crumb topping:
2 tbsp rice flour
2tbsp sorghum flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon


Apple Filling:
3 apples, cored and sliced (It depends on the size use just enough apples to fill your pan I used 2)
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp corn starch
1 tbsp water
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg


Peanut butter caramel:
2/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 tbsp brown rice syrup

Preheat oven to 350

For crust:

Stir together all oatmeal crust ingredients in a small bowl. Place and press very firmly down onto an 8 by 8 inch baking dish.

For topping:

Place flour, sugar, and spices in bowl. Drizzle 2 tbsp of oil on top and mix until the mixture begins to clump together.

Continue to toss with your hands until you get fairly large crumbs. Adding more oil if needed.

For apple filling:

Combine all ingredients to coat the apples

Layer you apple filling on the crust and sprinkle with crumbs on top.

Bake 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender

When bars almost done (35 minute mark), prepare peanut butter caramel.


For peanut butter caramel:

Mix all of the ingredients with a fork in a sauce pan

Heat over medium heat for 3 minutes

Mixture should soften and slide off of fork in ribbons

When bars are done, drizzle with caramel

Let cool before serving

This recipe may sound complicated and long but trust me when I say it is actually simple.

Does it snow where you live?