Oatmeal Carmelitas

            Oatmeal Carmelitas       

2 cups flour

2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats

1 ½ cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup butter, melted

1 (12 oz.) package semisweet chocolate chips

½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 (14 oz.) package caramels

1/3 cup half-and-half

    Preheat oven to 350°.  Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Add butter, stirring until mixture is crumbly.  Reserve half of mixture (about 2 ¾ cups).  Press remaining half of mixture into bottom of a greased parchment paper lined 13x9 inch pan.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips and, if desired, pecans.

    Microwave caramels and 1/3 cup half-and-half in a microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM power for 3 minutes.  Stir and microwave at MEDIUM 1 to 3 more minutes or until mixture is smooth.   Pour over chocolate chips.  Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

    Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until light golden brown.  Cool in pan on a wire rack.  Use parchment paper to lift out of pan.  Cut into squares.