CHOCOLATE CARAMEL OATMEAL BARS

Ingredients

• 1½ cup all purpose flour
• 1⅓ cup rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 9 tablespoons salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 40 soft caramel bars
• 6 tablespoons milk or cream (I used heavy whipping cream)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Melt the butter, let it cool, and pour into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir (I just used a wooden spoon) until a soft dough forms. It should be just slightly crumbly. If the dough feels wet and heavy, add a little more flour. 
2. Press ¾ of the dough into a 9x13 baking dish. Reserve the remaining ¼ for topping. Bake for about 13 minutes or until the top is barely golden brown.
3. While crust is baking, unwrap caramels and melt in the microwave with the cream. Stir until the mixture is smooth and pourable.
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   ©Steve Bawden 2015