Oatmeal Carmelitas

[sila-lumenn.livejournal.com]

There goes the diet. Gonna make these for dessert tonight. :)
If the hobbits could get chocolate chips they'd be doubling the recipe!

OATMEAL CARMELITAS
CRUST:
2 cups flour
2 cups oats
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup margarine or butter

FILLING:
1 jar (12 1/2 oz.) caramel topping
3 tbl. flour
1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts

Combine crust ingredients in a large bowl with a mixer. Press half of crust mixture into a 13x9x2 baking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 tbl. flour. Remove partially baked crust from oven. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Drizzle on caramel topping. Crumble reserved crust mixture over all. Bake an additional 18-22 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.