1 3/4 c. Quaker oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt (optional)
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 c. chopped nuts
6 oz. pkg. (1 c.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
14 oz. bag vanilla caramels
1/4 c. water

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Combine first 5 ingredients. Add butter; mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup for topping. Press remaining mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes. Top with nuts and chocolate chips.

In medium saucepan, melt caramel with water over low heat. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat. Drizzle over chocolate chips to within 1/4 inch of pan edges, sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. continue baking 15-18 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool. Chill until chocolate is set. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered in cool dry place. Makes 32 bars.