Whole-grain Oatmeal Carmelitas

Here's another family favorite made over to be a little more healthy and big enough to take to a pot luck or youth acitivity. These freeze well so when I make them just for us, I always package some up in snack baggies and keep them in the freezer to use for school lunch treats. I hope you enjoy them too.



Whole-grain Oatmeal Carmelitas

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed

1 cup butter, softened

½ cup whitebean puree

½ tsp salt

1 cup chocolate chips

25 soft caramel candies

1 Tbsp milk

Combine flours, oats, sugar, butter, bean puree, and salt. Mixture will be crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, place caramels in a microwave safe bowl and add the milk. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until melted. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the baked crust. Drizzle the melted caramel over the top. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top and press down slightly. Bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until lightly browned. Allow to cool and cut into bars. Makes approximately 24 depending on the size of your bars.

Whole-grain Oatmeal Carmelitas - crowd size

1 ⅔ cups whole wheat flour

1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour

3⅓ cups quick cooking oats

2 ½ cups brown sugar, packed

1⅔ cups butter, softened

¾ cup white bean puree

¾ tsp salt

2 cups chocolate chips

40 soft caramel candies

1⅓ Tbsp milk

Follow directions above, but use a 10x15 jelly roll pan. Increase final baking time to 20-25 minutes.