Caramel Bars

48 caramels, unwrapped
7 1/2 tablespoons evaporated milk
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1/3 teas salt
2/3 teas baking soda
1 1/8 cup brown sugar
1 1/8 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup 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. Pat half of this mixture into 9*13 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