Oatmeal Carmelitas

These Oatmeal Carmelitas were a holiday tradition for many years, made by my great aunt Mary.  I wanted to help keep her tradition alive by making them for Easter this year.  They were incredibly easy and a big hit with everyone, including the new additions to the family.  They are like an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, but better because they have a layer of caramel in them. So good!  I didn't get a good picture of them after I cut them into bars, just one with really poor lighting-sorry.

Oatmeal Carmelitas Recipe

Preheat oven to 350°

Combine the following and press HALF of mixture into a 9x13 greased casserole dish.  A kitchen aid mixer works great for combining these ingredients.

2 cups Flour

2 cups Quick cooking oats

1 cup Brown sugar

1 tsp. Baking soda

½ tsp. Salt

1 ½ cups Melted unsalted butter

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

While still warm, sprinkle a 12 oz. Bag of chocolate chips and  1 cup of chopped walnuts.

Combine 6 Tb. of flour with a 12 oz. Jar of Caramel Topping, then pour on top of chocolate chip & walnuts.  Top with remaining HALF of oatmeal topping and bake for 20 minutes.

Let cool completely before cutting into small bars.