Oatmeal Carmelitas

When I was growing up, my mother discovered the BEST cookie recipe--Oatmeal Carmelitas. It quickly became a family favorite. Because it is so rich, we usually only made it at Christmas time. This cookie became part of our Christmas caroling tradition. Along with the Oatmeal Carmelitas, we would make other goodies. Our family would then go Christmas caroling to friends and neighbors. People always enjoyed our caroling and the treats. However, it was always the Oatmeal Carmelitas that received the most comments. Everybody loves them. We now have three generations in our family who make those decadent Oatmeal Carmelita cookies.
--Sharon Kaye




Oatmeal Carmelitas:

70 light caramel candies
2/3 c. minus 2 TB (10 TB total) canned milk or cream
Melt caramels in cream in double boiler

Dough: Mix twice -- once for bottom layer and once for top layer
1 1/4 c. flour
1 1/4 c.quick cooking oats
3/4 to 1 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup melted butter
chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Filling:
2 cups (12 oz.) chocolate chips
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Mix dough dry ingredients then stir in melted butter until absorbed and mixture is crumbly. Press into greased 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven . Sprinkle on chocolate chips and nuts. Cover with caramel mixture spreading carefully. Sprinkle with second dough mixture. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Cut in squares.