Chocolate Carmelita Bars

1¾ cups oatmeal, uncooked

1½ cups all purpose flour

¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

¾ cup shortening or butter, melted

1 Tbsp water

½ tsp baking soda

 ¼ tsp salt (optional)

1 cup chopped nuts

¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup caramel ice cream topping

¼ cup all purpose flour

Heat oven to 350°. Grease 9 x 13” pan. Combine oatmeal, flour, sugar, butter, water, soda, and salt; mix well. Reserve 1 cup; press remaining mixture 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 ¼ cup flour until smooth; drizzle over chocolate pieces to within ¼” of pan edges. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Bake additional 13 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.

Makes 32 bars.