Caramel Oat Bars

Yummy oat bars filled with a gooey layer of caramel, chocolate and nuts!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 1 8 X 8 pan of bars

Ingredients

• 32  individually wrapped  caramels, unwrapped
• 5  tablespoons heavy cream
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1  cup rolled oats
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄2 cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped walnuts or 1⁄2 cup pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt together the caramels and heavy cream, stirring occasionally until smooth.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in the melted butter until well blended.
4. Press Half of the mixture into the bottom of a 8 X 8 inch baking pan.
5. Reserve the rest.
6. Bake the crust for 8 minutes in the preheated oven.
7. Remove and sprinkle with chocolate chips and walnuts.
8. Pour the caramel mixture over the top and then crumble the remaining crust mixture over everything.
9. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, or until the top is lightly toasted and the caramel is bubbling up around the edges of the pan.
10. Cut into squares after the bars have cooled.