CHOCOLATE CARMELITA BARS

By Nicky

These delicious bars combine chocolate and caramel for a decadent dessert.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 3/4 c. uncooked oats (quick or old fashioned)
• 1 3/4 c. flour, divided
• 3/4 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 c. Crisco Butter Flavor shortening
• 1 tbsp. water
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1 c. Caramel Sundae Syrup for Ice Cream Topping

Preparation

Step 1

350 F. Pray a 13 x 9 pan with no stick cooking spray.

Combine oats, 1 1/2 c. flour, brown sugar, shortening, water, baking soda and salt in large bowl; stir with spoon until well blended. Reserve 1 cup. Press remaining into bottom of prepared pan.

Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until light brown. Remove pan to cooling rack. Cool 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate chips.

Combine caramel topping and remaining 1/4 c. flour. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over chocolate chips to within 1/4 inch of pan edges. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.

Return to oven. Bake 18 - 22 minutes or until golden brown. Loosen from sides of pan with knife. Remove pan to cooling rack to cool and cool completely.

Cut into bar 2" x 1 1/2".