Caramel Chocolate Bars

Name: Caramel Chocolate Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: about 4-1/2 dozen
Ingredients: 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 2 cups quick-cooking oats; 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 cups cold butter, cubed; 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips; 1 cup chopped pecans; 1 jar (12 ounces) caramel ice cream topping

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Yield about 4-1/2 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

Chocolate, caramel sauce and chopped pecans form the irresistibly chewy layer at the heart of these decadent oatmeal caramel chocolate bars.

Ingredients

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups cold butter, cubed
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1 jar (12 ounces) caramel ice cream topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Set half aside for topping.
Press the remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and pecans.
Whisk caramel topping and remaining flour until smooth; drizzle over top. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours before cutting.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 156 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 110mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

These rich, gooey bars are my most-requested treats. They're popular at school functions, family barbecues and picnics. We like them alone or topped with a scoop of ice cream. —Betty Hagerty, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Recipe Creator