Chocolate Carmelita Bars

By JanetLynn198

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups oats
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup crisco butter shortening
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup caramel sundae syrups ice cream topping

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 350F. Spray a 13x9" baking dish with non-stick spray.

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

3. Bake 10-12 mins or until light brown. Remove pan to cooling rack for 10 mins. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate chips.

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

5. Return to oven. Bake 18-22 mins or until golden brown. Loosen from sides of pan with knife. Remove pan to cooling rack to cool. Cool completely, then cut into bars.