OATMEAL CARAMEL CHEWY BAR COOKIES

1 3/4 cup quick cook oats

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 pkg (12-oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup caramel ice cream topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan; set aside.

Combine the oats, 1 cup of the all-purpose flour, the whole-wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in butter; mix well. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture and press the remaining mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Remove the crust from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips and pecans over the crust.

In a small bowl, mix the caramel topping with the remaining all-purpose flour. Drizzle the mixture over the nuts and chocolate chips to within 1/4-inch of the edge of the pan. Sprinkle the reserved cup of the oat mixture overall.

Bake for another 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into 30 bars.
 

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