Caramel Bars
Shared with me by: Deb B (friend)
Marks absolute favorite!
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 c. all-purpose unbleached white flour
- 1-1/2 c. oatmeal
- 1-1/8 c. brown sugar
- 3/4 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1 c. cold butter, cut into chunks
- 48 caramels (1 bag of Kraft Caramels)
- 6 Tbls. milk
- 12 oz. package of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Combine first five dry ingredients and cut in butter with a pastry cutter until crumbly (see note below). Press a little more than half of the crumb mixture into a 9x13" pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven, let stand 5 minutes.
While crust is baking, melt the caramels and milk in a double boiler or microwave (about 4-5 minutes on high, stir after 2 minutes and each minute after). Let stand until crust is half baked, then pour over half baked crust.
Sprinkle with chocolate chips, pecans and reserved crumb mixture. Continue to bake for 15-20 minutes.
Cool and cut into squares.
NOTE: You can pulse the flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt with the butter or margarine in a food processor just until crumbly. Then add in the oatmeal and pulse just to combine. The food processor is easier to use vs. using a pastry cutter.