Turtle Bars

48 caramels, unwrapped
7 1/2 Tbs evaporated milk
1 1/2 C four
1 1/2 C quick-cooking oatmeal
1/3 Tsp salt
2/3 Tsp baking soda
1 1/8 C brown sugar
1/18 C butter or margarine, melted
1 C chocolate chips
Nuts (optional)

Melt caramels with evaporated milk in double boiler or in microwave. Set aside.
Combine flour, oatmeal, salt, baking soda, brown sugar, and melted butter until well-blended. Put half of this mixture into 9X13 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked mixture. Chopped nuts may be sprinkled if desired. Pour melted caramel mixture over chocolate chips. Sprinkle remaining flour mixture over top. Bake 15 minutes at 350. Cut into bars.