Amazing Ooey Gooey Bars

I can't believe this recipe wasn't on here long before now.  Not to worry though, it's here now so we can still be friends. :) These Ooey Gooey Bars (aka Carmalitas) are absolutely divine!  Not to mention addicting.  But then, I don't know what's not highly addicting that contains chocolate and caramel.  Everyone always loves them and there are never any left when I take them to a get-together.

Are you drooling yet?  Just look at the chocolate being hugged by all that gooey caramel. 

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 (14 ounce) bag caramels, unwrapped (I'll sometimes use an 11 ounce bag of the caramel baking bits to save me from all the unwrapping)
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine the first 6 ingredients (flour though butter) and mix until well combined.  Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 7x11 inch baking dish.  Bake for 15 minutes.  While the crust is baking, combine caramels and cream in a small sauce pan and melt over low heat, stirring often.  Sprinkle chocolate chips over the baked crust and pour caramel over the chocolate chips.  Sprinkle the remaining dough on top and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cool before cutting.

Recipe adapted from The Essential Mormon Cookbook.

 Linked on Tatertots & Jello and Sweets for a Saturday.