Thursday, November 11, 2010

Oatmeal Carmelitas

Crust:

2 cups flour
2 cups quick rolled oats
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 butter, softened

Filling:

1 cup caramel ice cream topping
3 Tablespoons flour
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9-inch pan. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine all crust ingredients; mix at low speed until crumbly. Reserve half of crumb mixture (about 3 cups) for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture in bottom of greased pan. Bake at 350°F. for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 tablespoons flour; blend well.

Remove partially baked crust from oven; sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Return to oven; bake an additional 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until filling is set. Cut into bars.