Carmelitas

My husband wanted a snack the other day but he wanted something cakey but not cake!? Well, how about squares! It gives a nice chewy and gooey bite every step of the way. I new the first time I saw them floating around on the Internet that I wanted to try them. There are tons of different variations, it just so happens that I had everything on hand with this one. They were so good! Chocolate, caramel, and oatmeal crumb, can't go wrong with that.

Carmelitas adapted from Lulu the Baker

32 caramel squares, unwrapped
1/2 cup half and half cream
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Combine caramels and cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until completely smooth; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda. Pat half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of an 8x8" pan. If you use a larger pan it will just be a thinner bar and you'll have to change your baking times. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over crust. Pour caramel mixture over chocolate chips. Crumble remaining oatmeal mixture over caramel. Return to oven and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool completely before cutting.