Oatmeal Caramelaties

My family has been making these oatmeal caramelaties for years. I remember going to my grandparents cabin in the summers and sneaking into the laundry room (where the treats were kept) to cut myself off bites these delicious, rich, tempting bars. They are everything you want in a dessert bar, they're chewy and chocolaty and laced with caramel. They're just plain good and are my go to treat for pot lucks, party's, movie nights, welcome to the apartment complex offerings, meeting at work, church or otherwise. People just love them and they're super simple to throw together and you probably have everything on hand. Once I shared these treats at a funeral and two weeks later someone who had attended, (somehow) tracked me down specifically to get this recipe. They're memorable! Like I said people love them. And so will you!   



Oatmeal Caramelaties
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 jar of caramel (Ice cream topping or Mrs. Richardson's works great!)
1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degree. Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying with non stick cooking spray. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the flour, oats brown sugar, salt, baking soda, and butter.  Evenly press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Just before the bars come out of the oven place the jar of caramel in the microwave for 30 seconds to melt it gently. When the bars have been removed from the oven, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crust and pour the melted caramel over the top. Sprinkle the rest of the crust over the top and press down slightly, bake in the oven for an additional 10-12 minutes, until the caramel is bubbling and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely and lift out of the pan using the foil edges. Cut into bars and serve.