Caramel Oatmeal Chewies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 3/4 c. Quaker oats (quick or old-fashioned), uncooked
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) margarine, melted
1 c. chopped Eagle peanuts
1 c. (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate pieces
1 (12.5 oz.) jar (1 c.) caramel ice cream topping
1/4 c. all-purpose flour

Preparation

Heat oven to 350\u00b0.
Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, soda and salt; mix well.
Stir in margarine, mixing until well blended.
Reserve 1 cup; press remaining onto bottom of prepared pan.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown; cool 10 minutes.
Top with nuts and chocolate pieces.
Mix caramel topping and 1/4 cup flour until smooth; drizzle over chocolate pieces to within 1/4-inch of pan edges. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.
Bake an additional 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool; chill until set.
Makes about 32 bars.