Chocolate Caramel Bars

I miss posting recipes. I'm sorry that I haven't been posting many recently. I'm still cooking- but mostly from my repertoire. Nothing new. A few friends I enlisted and I made this for our Relief Society birthday dinner the other night and it was a huge hit. I've had three emails today asking me for the recipe and one of my friends said: "Katherine, I don't want that recipe. I need that recipe." The recipe comes from my friend Natalie- I still remember Jayne telling me I had to try them. She was right- they are amazing. Thank you Natalie for such a delicious recipe. I like to take them out of the oven about 2 hours before I plan to serve them, so they are nice and soft and warm with the vanilla ice cream, but will still maintain their shape for serving. Enjoy!

Chocolate Caramel Bars

1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 c old fashioned oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 packed brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 T butter melted (Okay I never noticed this part before. I never melt the butter, I just dice it up and use a pastry blender or forks to make it crumbly, like I would with my apple crisp recipe. Whatever you want to do is fine though.)
1 14 oz bag of caramels
1/2 c whipping cream
1 12 oz bag of chocolate chips

Directions: In a large bowl combine the first six ingredients to form a crumbly mixture. Unwrap and melt caramels with cream in microwave. (I haven't had trouble with this when I make it, but watch it carefully and check it so the caramels don't burn). Sprinkle half of oatmeal mixture into a greased and floured 9x13 pan (I just usually spray it with a little pam). Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked mixture and pour caramel mixture over chips. Sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

table I decorated for the RS birthday dinner