Caramel Oatmeal Chewies

This really bad picture is of the last two bars. I had to force myself to resist for a minute so that I would be able to show them to you. (They're gone now.) These are addicting. Beware!

My big tip: Don't touch them until they're completely cool! And if you can manage, not until the next day. The firmer they are, the chewier they get. (You can speed this up by sticking them in the fridge once they've cooled.)

Caramel Oatmeal Chewies
From Nestle

1 3/4 cups oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1 3/4 cups flour, divided
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt (I left this out)
3/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup caramel ice cream topping (I really like the Smuckers Special Recipe Butterscotch Caramel)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom of 13x9 pan or pyrex.

Combine oats, 1 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in butter and mix well. Reserve 1 cup of the oat mixture for the topping. Press the remaining oat mixture into the bottom of the pan.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Mix the caramel topping with 1/4 cup flour in a small bowl. (This is easier if you warn up the caramel.) Drizzle over morsels to withing 1/4 inch of the pan edge. (If you get too close, the caramel sticks to the pan and has to be chipped off.) Sprinkle with the reserved oat mixture.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack.