1cup(226g)cold butter, (2 sticks) cut into Tablespoons (16 pieces)
1large egg
Toppings
24soft caramels, quartered (I used Lancaster Caramel Soft Crémes; about 3/4 cup of quartered pieces)
½cup(85g)semi-sweet chocolate chips, (I prefer Guittard chocolate chips)
1tspcourse sea salt
Instructions
In a large bowl, toss the diced apples in brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Let macerate (release juices) for 5 minutes.
Melt 6 Tbsp of butter in a large sauté pan, add the apples with their juices, and cook for 10 minutes or until desired softness. Allow to cool slightly.
While the apples cook, prepare the crust: Using the paddle attachment fitted on a KitchenAid mixer, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
Add cold butter one Tablespoon at a time, while the mixer is running, until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add egg and mix until the dough comes together, in large crumbs.
Press ⅔ of the crust onto the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread the cooked apples on top of the crust. Sprinkle with the remaining crumb dough.
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden on top.
Meanwhile, cut up 24 soft caramels into fourths, and measure ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, and 1 tsp sea salt.
Once the crust is golden, sprinkle the cut-up caramels and chocolate chips on top.
Return pan to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes more until the chocolate and caramels are melty.
Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle with sea salt.
Allow to cool slightly before cutting and consuming.