Caramel Walnut Bars

By kmad

For a festive look on a cookie tray, cut bars into 96 pieces and place in small candy papers or mini muffin cup liners.

Ingredients

• Crust
• 3/4 cup Butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup uncooked old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Filling
• 1 (14-ounce) package caramels, unwrapped
• 3 tablespoons whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons Butter
• 1 cup real semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, extending foil over edges. Spray foil with no-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine 3/4 cup butter and brown sugar in large bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Stir in flour, oats, baking soda and salt until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture. Press remaining crumb mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.

Meanwhile, place caramels, whipping cream and 3 tablespoons butter into 1-quart nonstick saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth (7 to 8 minutes).

Pour melted caramel mixture over hot, partially baked crust. Sprinkle chocolate chips and walnuts over caramel. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Continue baking for 13 to 16 minutes or until topping is golden brown and caramel is bubbly around edges. Cool completely.