CARAMEL CHIP BARS

CARAMEL CHIP BARS image

Yield Makes 48 bars

Number Of Ingredients 14

32 light colored Kraft or similar caramels
5 tablespoon whipping cream
1 cup flour
½ teaspoon soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup quick oatmeal
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup melted butter
6 oz. package chocolate chips
½ cup chopped toasted pecans
(See Note)
Note: To toast the pecans, place on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter or spray 9"x9" pan.

Steps:

Melt caramels with whipping cream in a double boiler. Combine flour, soda, salt, quick oatmeal, sugar and butter in a bowl. Pat ½ of the dry mixture into a buttered or sprayed 9"x9" pan. Bake at 350º for 8-10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips and chopped toasted pecans evenly over the partially baked mixture. Pour the melted caramel evenly over the top. Distribute the remaining ½ of the dry mixture crumbs over the top as evenly as possible. Return pan to oven and continue to bake at 350º for 12-15 additional minutes. Cut the bars into 4 even strips while still warm. Allow bars to "set up" before removing the 4 strips from the pan. Wrap individual strips in plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate until needed, then cut each strip into 12 servings. The strips can be stored in the freezer.