scrumptious caramel bars

While the stores were buzzing this past Saturday, I was home getting ready to host our annual staff Christmas party.  One of the treats I made were these tasty little morsels.

3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
38 caramels, unwrapped
1 tablespoon butter
4 tablespoons milk
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a small mixing bowl, combine butter, flour, oatmeal, brown sugar and baking soda; mix well. Put 3/4 of butter-oatmeal mixture in an ungreased 9×13 pan, pressing evenly over the bottom of pan. Bake for 10 minutes. In a saucepan or mircrowave, combine the caramels, butter, and milk and heat, stirring, until the caramels are melted. Pour caramel mixture over the baked crust and sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Top with remaining butter-oatmeal mixture. Bake for 15 minutes more. Cool and cut into bars.