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
For peanut butter caramel:
This recipe may sound complicated and long but trust me when I say it is actually simple.
12 Comments
Anonymous
I don't have rice flour or sorghum flour 🙁 any substitutes?
Cupcake Kat
@iheartvegetables reqular white or whole wheat flour should work just fine. You could also try using different combinations of gluten free flours.
Baker Street
absolutely love the crumb topping! thanks for sharing! 🙂
TinaRBK
Apples, oats and cinnamon-what is not to like?! I could eat about 2 squares, no make that 3 or 4…oh well, it sure is tempting.
Anonymous
Mmm – lovely recipe. I love caramel with apples!!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
YUMMMM!!!!!!! I wish I didn't burn caramel sauce every single time I make it, but I will try again for this recipe!!
Unknown
These look awesome! I love the combo of peanuts and caramel. Great recipe!
mothersson2002
Can just honey replace the other caramel sauces?
Kat @ Cupcake Kat
@mothersson2002 I am not sure if you could replace honey for the maple syrup or brown rice syrup. It would probably work but you would get something a lot different as honey is sweeter, not as thick as brown rice syrup but thicker than maple syrup.
Alexis Irvin
LOVE peanuts and caramel! these look great 🙂
Anonymous
I wish I would have read the whole post before making this. I did not butter (spray) the pan and the whole thing was a sticky mess 🙁
Kat @ Cupcake Kat
I'm sorry to hear that these didn't work out very well for you. The crust in this recipe is a bit finicky so you have to take care to press down very firmly. Even though they fell apart I hope the remnants still tasted great!