Caramel Mountain Bars

Every time we eat at local favorite, Ingredient, Chris sneaks in a caramel mountain bar.  He just can't resist!  Fortunately, it's was the one sweet treat I could resist.  He had me take a few bites to see if I could recreate it.  Hesitantly, I did.  I'm just not an oatmeal fan.  I ran to the store, purchased a few ingredients that I tasted and got to work.  I was so excited when he took the first bite and told me I nailed it.  Well, kind of.  He said they were even better.  Whether or not that was just the husband talking, I'll take it.  Guess what?  I can't stay out of them now.  Oops!

28 caramels unwrapped {2 bags at Target}

1/2 c heavy cream

3/4 c butter, melted

1 c brown sugar

1 c flour

1 c rolled oats

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 c flour

1/4 c brown sugar 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Over low heat, combine caramels and cream, stirring frequently until smooth.  While doing that, in a separate bowl, combine melted butter, 1 c brown sugar, 1 c flour, oats and baking soda. Pour and pat 3/4 of mixture into greased 9x9 pan.  Bake for 10 minutes and remove.  Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked mixture and add smooth caramel sauce {you can also substitute store-bought}, add 1/4 c flour and 1/4 brown sugar to the remaining mixture and stir until really crumbly.  Top over caramel, covering completely and bake 15 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool. I prefer them served warm, but they can also be served at room temperature.  

Adalyn enjoyed hers on her "party plate" - my Holly Hobby plate from childhood that she loves!

yields 9 bars