Chocolate and Caramel Oatmeal Bars

 

1

jar (12.25 oz) caramel topping (1 cup)

1

box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix

2/3

cup butter or margarine, softened

1

egg

2

cups quick-cooking oats

1 1/2

cups semisweet chocolate chips

1

cup chopped walnuts or pecans

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, letting foil hang 2 inches over short ends of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray.
• 2 In small bowl, mix caramel topping and 1 tablespoon of the cake mix; set aside. In large bowl beat remaining cake mix, butter and egg with electric mixer on low speed about 1 minute or just until crumbly. Stir in oats, using hands if necessary. Reserve 1 cup oat mixture. Using a piece of plastic wrap on crumb mixture, press remaining oat mixture in bottom of pan; remove plastic wrap. Bake 14 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown.
• 3 Sprinkle chocolate chips and walnuts over hot crust. Drizzle caramel mixture evenly over chocolate chips and walnuts to within 1/2 inch of edges. Crumble reserved oat mixture over top.
• 4 Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Using foil to lift, remove bars from pan. Remove foil. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered.