Oatmeal Caramel Bars

This recipe has been long standing in my family - my grandma used to make many batches before our visits and freeze them. We used to raid the freezer and eat them frozen!

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounce) bag  caramels (Approx. 32)
• 5 -6  tablespoons  cream or 5 -6  tablespoons evaporated milk
• 2  cups flour
• 2  cups quick oatmeal
• 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups butter, Melted
• 1 (12 ounce) bag chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 cup  nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Melt caramels and cream (I do this in a double broiler, but I'm sure a microwave would work).
2. Combine next 6 ingredients, stir until melted butter is absorbed and mixture crumbles.
3. Put half of the crumbs in 9 x 13 pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
5. Remove from oven.
6. Sprinkle chocolate chips (and nuts) over crust and drizzle caramel mixture over them.
7. Top with remaining crumbs.
8. Bake 15 minutes longer.