Carmelita Bars

** Recipe from Tried and True **

* 1 ¼ c. quick oats (GF if desired)
* 1 ½ sticks butter
* ¼ tsp. salt
* ¼ tsp. soda
* 1 c. brown sugar
* 1 c. chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
* 1 (6 oz.) package of chocolate chips
* 1 bag Kraft caramels

Heat oven to 350.  Melt caramels with evaporated milk (microwave 2 min, stir, & microwave 2 min). Let cool.  Mix flour, oats, salt, sugar, soda, and brown sugar. Pour in melted butter & stir. Press half of mixture into a greased 8x8" pan. Bake 12 min. Remove from oven and sprinkle nuts and chocolate chips across top of mixture. Spread caramel mixture over top, & complete bars by sprinkling remaining crumb mixture evenly across top. Bake 25 min. and let cool at least 2 hrs. before cutting into bars and serving.