Carmelitas

 A great dessert to take to any party.  I add coconut & pecans to mine.  This recipe will work fine without them.  In fact most Carmelitas do not have them.

CARMELITAS

(makes 36)

Ingredients:

*2 cups oatmeal

*1 3/4 flour

*1 1/2 cups light brown sugar

*1 teaspoon baking soda

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1 cup butter, melted

*2 cups chocolate chips (I like to mix milk chocolate & semi sweet together)

*50 Kraft soft caramels, unwrapped

*1/2 cup heavy cream

*1 cup coconut (recipe does not call for this, but I like to add it sometimes)

*1/2 cup pecans, chopped (recipe does not call for this, but I like to add it sometimes)

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~In a large bowl, mix oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and melted butter together until well combines.

~Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray or spray with cooking spray.

~Spread half of the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan, and gently pat down.

~Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips evenly over crust.

~If adding coconut, now is the time to do it (sprinkle evenly over chocolate chips).

~If adding pecans, now is the time to do it (sprinkle evenly over coconut).

~In a double boiler mix caramels & heavy cream together (or melt in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted).

~Cook until melted and creamy,  stirring often.

~Pour evenly over chocolate chips.

~Evenly sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture over melted caramel.

~Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over top.

~Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden and caramel is bubbly.

~Cool completely before cutting.