Gale Robb's Caramelita Bars...

Via my new dear friend Claire via her dear friend Hilary Sanborn. Hooray friends!

Gale Robb’s Caramelita Bars

Ingredients:
2 (14 oz) bags Kraft caramels (or new melt pellets)
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ c butter, at room temp
2 cups flour
1 ½ cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ tspn salt
2 cups regular oatmeal
1 (12 oz) pkg. semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 9x14” brownie pan with parchment paper. Spray with nonstick spray.

In a double broiler melt caramels with heavy cream on low – stir until incorporated and smooth. Set aside. In a separate mixer or large sturdy bowl with a hand held mixer, combine butter with flour - adding the flour gradually, then the brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and oatmeal.

Take ½ of the butter/oatmeal mixture and gently pat into lined pan with your hands or a nonstick spatula. Bake @ 350 degrees 8-10 min. Remove from oven. While still hot, evenly sprinkle with the chocolate chips on top. Bake 2 minutes then spread the chips with a knife or offset spatula. Once spread, pour the caramel mixture evenly over. Crumble rest of the oatmeal mix evenly over on top. Bake another 15 min. Let cool completely before slicing.