I first had these cookies at a cookie exchange several years ago at my friend Gretchen's.  They are rot your teeth good.  Perfect for the day after parents leave, when everyone is in the doldrums a little bit.  And I wonder why I always have a few pounds to loose...


1 package (14 oz) caramels
1/2 c milk
2 c flour
2 c quick or regular oats
1 1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup butter, softened
1 package (6 oz) chocolate chips
1 c chopped walnuts or dry roasted peanuts

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Heat caramels in milk in a 2-quart sauce pan over low hear, stirring frequently, until smooth.
2. Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and egg.  Stir in butter with fork until mixture is crumbly.
3. Grease a 13x9x2 pan.  Press half of the crumbly mixture into pan.  Bake 10 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts.  Drizzle with caramel mixture.  Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture over top.
5. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.  Cool 30 minutes.  Run knife around edge of pan to loosen sides.  Cool completely.  Cut into bars, about 2 x 1 inch.  Makes 54 bars.