Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch pan with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray for easy cleanup. This step is important due to the stickiness of the caramel.

In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, add the melted butter and heat it in the microwave for about 90 seconds until fully melted.

Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Add the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Mix until everything is well combined; the mixture will be quite thick. Don’t worry if it seems crumbly; that’s how it should be!

Take half of the mixture and spread it evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Set the remaining mixture aside for topping later.

Bake the base layer in the oven for 10 minutes. While it bakes, prepare the caramel sauce.

In another large microwave-safe bowl, combine the unwrapped caramels and heavy cream. Heat in the microwave in 60-second bursts, stirring after each burst, until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth. This should take about 4 to 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can melt the caramels and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring continuously.

After 10 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the baked layer. This will create pockets of melty chocolate within the bars.

Slowly pour the caramel sauce over the chocolate chips, ensuring an even distribution. Take your time to spread it evenly.

Crumble the reserved oatmeal-brown sugar mixture over the top of the caramel layer. This will create a beautiful topping that adds texture.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the center is bubbling slightly. I recommend around 16.5 minutes for the perfect texture.

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This cooling process can take up to 4 hours at room temperature or overnight. For a quicker option, place the pan in the fridge covered with foil to prevent any fridge odors. If you slice them too soon, they may be messy, but they will still taste delicious!