Caramely Chocolatey Deliciousness

I brought these bars for today's Ward Pioneer Day Celebration at Avila Beach. They were gone so fast that some people didn't even get one! I've posted this on the blog before, but here it is again. Enjoy! :)

48 soft caramels 
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
10 ounces (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9-by-13- inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on each short side. 
Put caramels and cream in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels are melted, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
Stir together oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and the salt in a large bowl. Blend in butter with a fork or your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal; press half of mixture onto bottom of lined pan. Bake until just set and starting to color around edges, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes.
Sprinkle crust with chocolate chips; drizzle with caramel mixture. Top with remaining crumb mixture. Bake until pale golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely in pan before cutting into squares.