Oatmeal Caramel Bars

Crust:                                                          Filling:

2 cups flour                                              1(12.5 oz) jar caramel

2 cups quick oats                                      ice cream topping

1 ½ cups brown sugar                               3 T. flour

1 t. baking soda                                        1 cup chocolate chips

½ t. salt                                                   ½ cup chopped pecans

1 ¼ cups butter, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 13x9-inch pan.  In large bowl, blend all crust ingredients at low speed until crumbly.  Press half of crumb mixture, about 3 cups, in bottom of pan.  Reserve remaining mixture for the topping.

Bake for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine caramel topping and 3 tablespoons of flour. Sprinkle partially baked crust with chocolate chips and nuts.  Drizzle evenly with caramel mixture and sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake 20-25 minutes more or until golden brown.  Cool completely.  Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until filling is set.  Cut into bars.