Gooey Caramel-chocolate Bars

Total Time: 47 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 22 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 48
• 1 (18 ounce) box betty crocker supermoist fudge cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 ounce) bag caramels, unwrapped
• 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
• 1/2 cup reserved cake mix
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine, softened

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350°f (or 325°f for dark or nonstick pan). reserve 1/2 cup cake mix for topping. in large bowl, beat remaining cake mix, 1/2 cup butter and the eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until dough forms. stir in chocolate chips. spread in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. bake 14 to 18 minutes or until set.
• 2 meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat caramels, 1/4 cup butter and the milk over medium heat about 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth.
• 3 spread caramel filling evenly over partially baked crust. in small bowl, mix reserved 1/2 cup cake mix, the oats and 3 tablespoons butter with fork until crumbly. sprinkle over caramel filling.
• 4 bake 18 to 22 minutes longer or until top is set. cool completely, about 2 hours. run knife around sides of pan to loosen bars. for bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.