Train potty

One of my favorite dessert bars are Carmelitas.

Oatmeal, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Chocolate Chips...yum!

I make carmelitas often & it's fun to mix up some of the toppings.

I decided to make a fall version of carmelitas & add some pumpkin!

Here is what you need:

 Crust:

2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cups butter, melted

Filing:

1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree

1/2 cup Peanut Butter ( I use Skippy)
1 t pumpkin pie spice

2 t cinnamon
1 cup Caramel topping

1 package  chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate)

1 cup chopped pecans  (optional)

Combine crust ingredients & mix to form crust. 

Press HALF of the mixture into the bottom of a 9X13 pan. 

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes  (until barely brown). 

While it is cooking, prepare your filing.

In a bowl, combine peanut butter, pumpkin, spices & caramel 

Mix together until smooth. 

 Spread on top of crust once you take it out of the oven:

Sprinkle with chocolate chips:

Sprinkle with remaining crumbs to form crust mixture. 

I add chopped peacans to half of it (my kids don't like pecans)

Then, I drizzle more caramel sauce over the top!

 Bake 15-20 minutes at 350, until golden brown. 

It will seem slightly jiggly, but it will be fine!

 Chill 2 -3 hours in the fridge.

 Cut into bars & Enjoy!

 These bars are heavenly!

I hope you love these bars as much as we do. 

I like that the bars are versatile....If you don't like peanut butter, leave it out. If you don't like pumpkin, you can leave that out also! 

Hope you have a good weekend....my 1/2 marathon is on Sunday...EEEK! Wish me luck!