Chewy oats surround layers of chocolate, caramel and nuts in these hearty bars.

Caramel Oatmeal Chewies

1 3/4 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour - divided use
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt, (optional)
3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup caramel ice cream topping

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
2. Combine oats, 11/2 cups flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Stir in butter; mix well. Reserve 1 cup oat mixture; press remaining oat mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with morsels and nuts. Mix caramel topping with remaining flour in small bowl; drizzle over nuts to within 1/4-inch of pan edges. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.
4. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack; refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars.

Makes 30 bars.

Estimated Times
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 30 mins

Nutrition Facts: Serving Size (1/30 of recipe): Calories: 220 Calories from Fat: 100 Total Fat: 11 g Saturated Fat: 5 g Cholesterol: 15 mg Sodium: 95 mg Carbohydrates: 29 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g Sugars: 12 g Protein: 3 g

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.