Caramel-chocolate Oat Bars

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (18 ounce) package yellow cake mix or 1 (18 ounce) package cake mix
• 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup smucker's caramel ice cream topping (use one 12.25-ounce jar)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 (16 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 set oven rack to second-lowest position.
• 3 butter a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
• 4 for the crust; in a large bowl mix together the cake mix with oatmeal, brown sugar and cinnamon.
• 5 in a small bowl whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice and egg until well blended; add to the oat mixture, using clean hands combine the ingredients until mixture barely holds together.
• 6 sprinkle two-thirds of the oat mixture into the bottom of the pan; pat down with hands to spread evenly.
• 7 bake for 5 minutes.
• 8 remove from oven and sprinkle the partially baked crust with chocolate chips then nuts.
• 9 for the filling; in a bowl combine combine the caramel topping with 3 tablespoons flour; blend well, then drizzle over the chocolate and nuts.
• 10 sprinkle with remaining oat topping, then gently press the oat mixture down slightly.
• 11 bake for 20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned).
• 12 let stand to cool enough to refrigerate, then chill.
• 13 slice into squares or bars.