Caramel Candy Bars

Submitted by tammarie

"I found this in a cookbook, I think it was one of those Christmas books I had several of :), maybe BH&G or Pillsbury"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 32 bars
• Serves: 32

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 1⁄2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup crisp rice cereal
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

• Filling

• 35 caramels, unwrapped
• 1⁄3 cup milk

• Additional Topping

• 1 (14 ounce) package M&M's, milk chocolate

directions

1. Heat oven to 350. Spray a 13x9 pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar and butter; beat until smooth. Stir in oats and cereal. Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix until well blended. Reserve 3 cups oat mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture in bottom of pan. bake for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine caramels and milk; heat over low heat until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth, stirring constantly.
3. Remove partially baked base from oven, sprinkle with 1 cup of M&M's. Drizzle with caramel mixture, being careful not to let caramel touch sides of pan. Drop reserved oat mixture by heaping teaspoons over caramel mixture. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate pieces.
4. Return to oven; bake an additional 20-24 minutes or until center is set and top is golden brown. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled.