Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 12×15 baking sheet.
Cream together butter, and sugar in mixer, add vanilla, then add eggs one at a time being sure to mix well after each. Scrape down bowl. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder,and spices. Gradually add flour to butter mixture. Scrape down sides of bowl, add apple pieces, mix until combined. Dollop batter on to baking sheet and spread to edges with spatula, batter will be spread thin and there will be some holes that’s OK when bars bake batter will rise and fill in the empty spots.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, until just barely brown. Remove from oven. Make Caramel Glaze pour over bars and spread to cover. Let cool. Cut into squares.
Caramel frosting
Melt butter on stove top in a small sauce pan, add brown sugar and whisk until smooth, bring to a low boil, sprinkle in salt, whisk in half and half and then add vanilla, remove from heat and continue to whisk until smooth like caramel. Add powdered sugar and whisk again until smooth pour over warm cake and spread evenly with spatula.