Oatmeal Carmelitas

One of my sister-in-laws favorite dessert is Oatmeal Carmelitas.  If you like caramel, you will love these!!!

 Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. 

Add butter, stirring until mixture is crumbly.  

Press remaining half of mixture into bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Sprinkle evenly with chocolate morsels, and, if desired, pecans.

Melt the caramels and half-and-half over medium heat until smooth.

 I think I could just eat the caramels like this :)

  

 Pour evenly over chocolate morsels. Sprinkle evenly with reserved crumb mixture. 

 Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Oatmeal Carmelitas

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats

1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, melted

1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (optional)

1 (14-oz.) package caramels

1/3 cup half-and-half

Preparation

1. Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add butter, stirring until mixture is crumbly. Reserve half of mixture (about 2 3/4 cups). Press remaining half of mixture into bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Sprinkle evenly with chocolate morsels, and, if desired, pecans.

2. Microwave caramels and half-and-half in a microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 3 minutes. Stir and microwave at MEDIUM 1 to 3 more minutes or until mixture is smooth. Let stand 1 minute. Pour evenly over chocolate morsels. Sprinkle evenly with reserved crumb mixture.

3. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.