Smurtles - A treat we had at Josie's farewell

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups quick oats
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, mostly melted
• 1 pkg. (14 oz.) vanilla caramels
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 3/4 cups Guittard Milk Chocolate Chips (or other high quality chips)

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

COMBINE oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add butter; stir until well combined. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of mixture. Press remaining mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes.

COMBINE caramels and whipping cream in medium saucepan. (Or use microwave and a glass container) Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Spread caramel mixture evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle milk chocolate chips over caramel layer. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top.

BAKE 12-14 minutes or until top is light brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.