Recipe: Caramel Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars (using melted caramels)

CARAMEL PUMPKIN OATMEAL BARS


2 cups flour
2 cups rolled oats, uncooked
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not sweetened)
7 ounces (1/2 of 14 ounce package) caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons milk

Mix flour, oats, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add butter; stir until mixture is well blended and forms coarse crumbs.

Reserve 1/2 (about 2 1/4 cups) for the topping. Add pumpkin to remaining mixture in bowl; stir until well blended. Press evenly into greased foil-lined 13x9-inch baking pan. Set aside.

Microwave caramels and milk in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after every minute. Let stand 1 minute. Pour over pumpkin mixture in pan, spreading to within 1/2-inch of edges. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 24 bars.

Makes 2 dozen bars
Source: McCormick