Aimee's Carmelitas

INGREDIENTS

Crust

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 ½ cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup butter (softened)
Cinnamon

Filling

1 (12.5 oz.) Jar (1 cup) caramel ice cream topping
3 T. all-purpose flour
1 (6 oz.) Pkg. (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate ch ps
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Grease 13 X9" pan.
3. In large bowl, blend all crust ingredients at low speed until crumbly. Press half of crumb mixture, about 3 cups, in bottom of greased pan. Reserve remaining crumb mixture for topping.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 T. flour. Remove partially baked crust from oven; sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for an additional 18 to 22 min or until golden brown. Cool completely. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours until filling is set. Cut into bars.