Caramel Bars

UPDATED POSTING ADDED 2014 

*This is the same recipe as posted previously, but with a tad more detail*

INGREDIENTS:
1 and 1/2 c. flour
1 and 1/4 c. brown sugar
1 and 1/2 c. oatmeal
1 and 1/8 c. butter (melted)
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 c. heavy whipping cream 
1 bag of caramels (the kind I buy is 11 oz., unwrapped caramels--Walmart)

1 and 1/2 c. chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

STEPS:

1. Mix the br. sugar, flour, oatmeal, salt, soda, and melted butter.  
2. Set aside 2/3 cups of the mixture; press remaining mixture on the bottom of a large cake pan (BUTTER THE PAN, first).
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and remove (it SHOULD look undercooked).
4. WHILE it bakes, melt the caramels and cream in a double broiler, OR in a microwave (alternate heating for 45 seconds, and then stirring/cooling for 45 seconds until done melting to avoid burning).
5. Sprinkle the chips across the semi-baked crust.
6. Top with the melted caramel.
7. Finalize with sprinkling the remaining crust mixture; bake 15-20 minutes longer (watch so it doesn't burn on top after the 15 minute mark. 

ORIGINAL POSTING 2010

1 1/2 C Flour 1 1/4 C Brown Sugar 1 1/2 C Oatmeal 1/4 tsp. Salt 3/4 Tsp. Baking Soda 1 1/8 C. Butter (Melted) 1/2 C. Cream 1 Bag Caramels 1 1/2 C Chocolate Chips

1. Mix the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, salt, soda, and melted butter.
2. Butter/grease large cake pan; press mixture on bottom of large cake pan; *save 2/3 cup for the topping (later on).
3. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Meanwhile...
4. Melt the caramels and cram in a double broiler (stove), OR microwave: 45 seconds on-and-off.
5. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the semi-baked crust (after the 10 mins).
6. Add/pour over the melted Carmel mixture, and finish by sprinkling the rest of the 2/3 crust mixture.
7. Bake 15-20 minutes longer.