Caramel-Chocolate Crunch Bars

Name: Caramel-Chocolate Crunch Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter, softened; 5 tablespoons packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup Grape-Nuts; 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping; 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

“These bars are lower in calories and are just scrumptious,” says Agnes Ward. “The Grape-Nuts and oatmeal gives them a nice nutty crunch.” With caramel and chocolate on top, you'd never guess these are light.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter, softened
5 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Grape-Nuts
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Line a 9x5-in. loaf pan with heavy-duty foil. Coat foil with cooking spray and set aside.
In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add the oats, flour and cereal; mix well. Pat into prepared pan.
Drizzle caramel topping to within 1/2 in. of edges. Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake 1 minute longer. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 177 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Caramel Chocolate Crunch Bars in Cooking for 2 Fall 2008