M&M Oat Bars Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 cup (6 ounces) miniature semisweet chocolate chips
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• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup plain M&M's
• 3 ounces white candy coating

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture. Stir in oats.
• Press into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt caramels and water; stir until smooth. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with the chips, nuts and M&M's. Gently press into the caramel mixture. Melt candy coating; drizzle over the top. Let stand for 5 minutes or until coating is set. Cut into bars. Yield: 6 dozen.
  
  Editor's Note: Confectionery coating, sometimes called "almond bark" or "candy coating", is found in the baking section of most grocery stores. It is often sold in bulk packages of 1 to 1-1/2 pounds.

M&M Oat Bars published in Taste of Home October/November 1999, p64