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, melted
1 c. chopped nuts
1 (6 oz.) pkg. (1 c.) semi-sweet chocolate pieces
1 (14 oz.) bag vanilla caramels
1/4 c. water

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

In medium saucepan, melt caramels with water over low heat; stir until smooth. Remove from heat. Drizzle over chocolate pieces to within 1/4-inch of pan edges; sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Continue baking 15 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool. Chill until chocolate is set. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered in cool, dry place. 23 bars.

Nutritional Information: Each serving (1 bar) - Calories 200, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Protein 3 grams, Fat 10 grams, Sodium 95 milligrams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Dietary Fiber 1 gram.