Caramel Oatmeal bars- Andrea Larson

32 individually wrapped caramels
5 T heavy cream
1 C flour
1 C oats
3/4 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2/4 C melted butter
1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C chopped walnuts or pecans.

In addition, make another 1/2 of oatmeal mixture for the top crust:
1/2 C flour
1/2 C oats
measure 1/4 C and half of 1/4 C brown sugar (technically 3/8, but I don't own that size of measuring cup)
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
3/8 C melted butter (measure the same as you did for brown sugar)

Preheat oven to 350, in sauce pan melt caramels, and cream stirring occassionally. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, stir in melted butter until well blended. Press onto bottom of 9x13 pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Make the additional oatmeal mixture in separate bowl and set aside. Remove crust and sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Pour caramel over chocolate and crumble the additional oatmeal mixture on top of caramel. Return to oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes or until the top is slightly toasted.