Caramel Bars

Need a yummy, gooey treat?  Here is one that is easy, but does take some time.

1 cup flour

1 cup oatmeal

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter, divided

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3-4 Tablespoons milk

1 package caramels

12 oz pkg. chocolate chips

 
Put 3/4 cup of butter in bowl to soften some.  Have kids sit at the table and unwrap the individual caramels.  This is the part that takes a long time, for an adult or for two kids.  It took them about 30 minutes.  By the end Trey was able to do a couple too.

 Include 1/4 cup of butter in pan with caramels so it can begin to soften.

Mix flour, oatmeal, 3/4 cup butter, brown sugar, baking soda and salt until well blended.

Press mixture in 9x13 well greased pan.  Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.  Cool crust for 20-30 minutes.

Check and double check that the kids got all of the wrappers off of the caramels.

Add milk and melt caramel and butter in double boiler.   Stir with wooden spoon.  Pour over crust.

Drop in chocolate chips.  Eat a few.

 Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

 Cool, then cut.

 Grab a napkin because they are gooey!

I guess I didn't grease the sides well enough.  I had to start cutting the bars just inside the edge because they were stuck to the side.  Make sure you grease well.  Recipe adapted from Kim.