Delicious Low-glycemic Caramel Oatmeal Bars

                                     

                                                                                      Photo taken by Gary Barnes

Looking for a satisfying sweet treat, without large amounts of refined sugar? Look no longer! Delicious, low-glycemic "Caramel Oatmeal Bars" will be what you are looking for. So delicious and sweet, it will be hard to tell these are made without refined sugar. To make the delicious low-glycemic caramels, refer to the sweet and buttery "Caramels" recipe in "Treat Your Health". 

                                                             

Photo taken by Razana Adru

Caramel Oatmeal Bars

Carmel topping:
25 caramels* 
1/4 cup cream

Crust & crumble:

1 cup flour
1 cup oatmeal

2-4 tablespoons sugar substitute**
1/4 teaspoon pure stevia
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon soda

1/2 cup softened or melted butter

1/4 cup maple syrup

Toppings:

1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts

*See "Treat Your Health" for a low-glycemic version of  buttery "Caramels"

**The amount used depends on what sugar substitutes you choose. Some are more concentrated than others.

Tip: See "Treat Your Health" for help with choosing the sugar substitute options.

Note: I used dairy-free cream, dairy-free butter spread, gluten-free flour and gluten-free oatmeal. These bars will also be delicious with dairy and whole wheat pastry flour if you choose.

Option:  Press all of the ingredients for crust & crumbles in a 13 x 9 inch pan. Replace crumble topping with 1/2 cup shredded coconut to be added with chocolate chips and nuts, proceed with instructions. If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like the "Six, Seven or Eight Layer Bars!" in "Treat Your Health" 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In medium saucepan, melt caramels and cream over medium low heat. Set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients, butter and maple syrup. Press three-fourths of this mixture in 6 x 10 inch baking pan. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven to sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Spoon caramel over top. Sprinkle remaining fourth crumb mixture. Bake additional 15-20 minutes. Chill for 30 minutes.