Gooey Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil or butter
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips

Salted CARAMEL 

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• Pinch of sea salt (or pink Himalayan salt)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8x8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper. 
2. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until the dough is moist and all the ingredients are combined. The dough will be crumbly. Mix in the chocolate chunks. Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of a prepared baking dish. Bake 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the "caramel". In a medium pot, melt together the butter, brown sugar, and maple over medium heat. Gently boil, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in a pinch of salt. 
4. Remove the bars from the oven and pour the caramel over top. Crumble on the remaining oatmeal dough. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool completely, then cut into bars...or eat them while warm and gooey with an extra sprinkle of sea salt on top.