Caramel Oatmeal Bars

Caramel Oatmeal Bars
48 soft caramel-candy squares* ( I use my 6 minute caramels recipe and omit the heavy cream)
1/2 c. heavy cream
2 c. old fashioned rolled oats
2 c. flour
1 c. brown sugar
3/4 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 1/2 sticks butter, cut into small pieces
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Spray a 9-by-13- inch pan with cooking spray.  *Put the caramels and cream in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the caramels are well melted, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
Stir together the oats, flour,brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Blend in the butter with a fork or until the mixture is coarse; press half of the mixture onto the lined pan. Bake until just set and starting to color around edges, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the crust with the chocolate chips and drizzle it with the caramel mixture. Top with the remaining crumb mixture and bake at 350 until golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan. Then cut into squares and serve.