Chocolate Caramel Oat Squares

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine the first five ingredients (flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt) in the food processor. Add butter or margarine and cut in, pulsing until crumbs begin to stick together. (If you don’t have a food processor, you can mix the ingredients in a large bowl using a pastry cutter.) Set aside 2 cups of the mixture.

Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crumb mixture and set aside.

Bring the cream to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. (Do not boil). Add caramels and stir until melted and smooth. Pour mixture over the crust and chocolate chips. Sprinkle the reserved 2 cups of crumb mixture over the top. Bake until edges are lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into small squares.

(If you have a mini-food processor, you can still make this recipe. Combine the first 5 ingredients and mix well in a medium bowl. Place about 1 1/2 cups of the mixture into the mini food processor, and 1/2 stick of butter, and combine in 3 batches. This is how I’ve done it, and it works great even without a big food processor.)