Caramel-Walnut Oatmeal Bars

OK, as much as I love chocolate, sometimes one just craves for caramel. Here is a simple recipe that incorporates that caramel craving while adding some nutritional value, oats. These bars are absolutely delicious and will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth while not harming your waistline. OK I'm all about indulging here and there, but this bar is definitely healthy, I swear! The caramel just oozes throughout the bar and the extra nuts we added really give the bar the extra crunch without drying the dessert. This recipe makes a decent portion that can be cut into small pieces to share with your neighbor.

Here is the recipe:



Ingredients for the bar:

2 sticks butter - melted

1.5 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

1.5 cups flour

2.5 cups oats

Set your oven temperature to 350 degrees. Melt the 2 sticks of butter over low heat. Then in a large bowl, mix the brown sugar and the melted butter together. Add the 2 eggs and vanilla and set aside. In another bowl, add the dry ingredients together and briefly mix with a whisk. In batches, mix the wet and dry ingredients (maybe 2-3 batches) with a wooden spoon. Mix it enough for it to be homogenous. Then, a baking dish (I used a 8x8 baking dish), spread half of the baking mix and bake for 5-7 minutes. 

During this time, make the caramel. 

Ingredients for the caramel:

-          1 cup granulated sugar

-          6 tbsp unsalted butter

-          1 tsp salt

-          2/3 cup heavy cream

Melt sugar, whisking; add salt and butter and re-dissolve, and cream off heat (it will foam!) Once cooled, cover the oatmeal base with the caramel. 

Cover that with toasted walnuts and chocolate chips or whatever in the mood for. Cover with remaining cookie dough and finish baking for 15 minutes or until browned. Enjoy!