Chewy Caramel Bars

Chewy Caramel Bars
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup flour
1 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
32 caramels, unwrapped
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons milk
1 package (6 oz) chocolate chips, about 1 cup
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a small mixing bowl, combine butter, flour, oatmeal, brown sugar,
and baking soda; mix well. Put 3/4 of butter-oatmeal mixture in an ungreased 9x13 pan, pressing evenly over the bottom of pan. Bake for 10 minutes. In a saucepan, combine the caramels, butter, and milk and heat, stirring, until the caramels are melted. Pour caramel mixture over the baked crust and sprinkle with chocolate
chips and nuts. Top with remaining butter-oatmeal mixture. Bake for 15 minutes more. Cool and cut into bars.