1 c  Margarine (vegetable oil
          -spread) 2 sticks, see NOTE
   1/3 c  Sugar, powdered
     2 ts Vanilla
     2 c  Flour, all-purpose
     1 c  Pecans, finely chopped
          TOPPING:
    30 ea Caramels
     3 tb Milk
     2 ts Margarine (vegetable oil
          -spread, see NOTE)
     3 ea Apples, small, red, sliced
     3 tb Sugar, granulated
     2 tb Almonds, sliced
  To prepare crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix vegetable oil
 spread, powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with electric
 mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add flour and pecans;
 mix well. Press into greased 12 inch pizza pan; prick crust several
 times with fork. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until lightly browned.
 Cool.
  To prepare topping: Microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable
 bowl on high (100 % power) 2 – 3 minutes, until smooth, stirring
 after 1 minute. Spread over cooled crust. Melt vegetable oil spread
 in a large skillet. Add apples and granulated sugar. Cook on medium
 heat 3-5 minutes or until apples are tender; stirring occasionally.
 Spoon over caramel mixture, sprinkle with almonds.
 NOTE: Vegetable oil spread is a lower fat “margarine”, if butter or
 margarine are used, results may be different.
 From Sherlyne Hutcinson of Cornelius, Oregon. First prize, Treasured
 Apple Recipe category, Kraft Caramels 60th Anniversary Recipe Contest
                 
                 Yields       
                8 Servings                
