Caramel-chocolate Oat Squares - Microwave

Total Time: 15 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 24 caramels
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a microwave-safe bowl, heat butter, uncovered, on high for 20-30 seconds or until softened.
• 2 combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; stir into butter until blended.
• 3 set a third of the mixture aside for topping.
• 4 press remaining mixture onto the bottom of an 8-in. square microwave-safe dish.
• 5 cook, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes or until crust is raised and set(crust will be uneven), rotating a half turn after each minute.
• 6 in a 1-qt. microwave-safe dish, heat the caramels and milk, uncovered, on high for 1 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every minute.
• 7 sprinkle chips and nuts if desired over crust.
• 8 pour caramel mixture over all.
• 9 sprinkle with reserved oat mixture; press down lightly.
• 10 microwave,uncovered, on high for 2-3 minutes or until the caramel is bubbly, rotating a quarter turn every minute.
• 11 cool before cutting.
• 12 yield: 16 servings.