Caramel Oatmeal Bars

These are really, really tasty...but a bit of pain in the butt to make.  Why?  It's the step with the butter that got to me--cutting up 2 and a half sticks into small bits to mash into the batter by hand is very tedious and time consuming, albeit necessary to achieve the proper consistency.  However, I really enjoy them, so I will likely make them again.  9.5/10 (0.5 deducted for the pain the butt butter part).

Link to original recipe: https://bakeorbreak.com/2012/02/caramel-oatmeal-bars/

Ingredients:

2 c. old-fashioned/rolled oats
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. light brown sugar (packed)
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. unsalted butter, cold (you may want to freeze it for a few minutes to make step 3 easier)
48 soft caramels (such as Kraft brand ones; I had a regular-sized bag and it contained only 40, which is what I actually used, turned out great)
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Line a 9" x 13" baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on short ends. (Original recipe says to spray pan with cooking spray prior to lining, but I did not do this, as I cannot imagine what benefit it would serve.)

2. In a large bowl, stir oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt together.

3. Heat oven to 350°F.

4. Cut cold butter into small pieces (I cut into pats, then cut pats into quarters.  Yes, this is a bit of work.)  Add pieces to oat mixture and combine using a fork or your fingers (I tried and failed with a pastry blender, so then I opted for my fingers, which worked better by far), until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

5. Press half of the mixture into the lined baking pan.  Bake for 20 minutes.

6. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes.

7. While the first half is baking (and then cooling), heat caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stir frequently, until a smooth mixture is combined. then remove from heat.

8. When the first half has cooled, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly atop it, followed by drizzling the caramel mixture over it.

(I had to spread it a little for it to be even-ish)

9. Top with the remaining half of the oat mixture/batter, then bake for additional 20-25 minutes, or until pale golden (I went 25 minutes).

10. Cool completely in pan, then cut into bars and enjoy!