Caramel Swirl Hunks

. I'm beginning to love Wednesdays.  And would you like to know why?  Because Wednesdays give me chances to make things like this...

Yes, Caramel Swirl Hunks.  And they are everything you would want in a bar and more.  HUGE, chewy, chocolatey, and full of globs of dulce de leche [a.k.a. awesome caramel].

You may recall I mentioned that our department formed a slowpitch softball team, and we play every Wednesday night.  So not only do I get to run around my old home away from home [the softball field], but I have a legitimate excuse to make some treats every week.  Score!  And if I'm going to discover things like these babies, Wednesdays will undoubtedly become my new favorite day.  Friday, what?

I'll warn you now, these are not for the calorie conscious.  BUT, I will say that you will in no way regret taking a ginormous bite out of these bars.  And who really thinks about calories while you're enjoying a wondrous dessert?  My hands are down.

They are definitely one of my top three favorite bars I've ever made.  Seriously.  A soft, yet chewy blondie-like bar, chocolate chunks, and swirls and swirls of rich caramel.  Gah!  Not to mention, the caramel swirls on top are so pretty!

On another note, I'm running in the Omaha Midnight Run tonight [just a 5K though] at, you guessed it, approximately 11:59 P.M.  I know, I realize this is way past my bedtime but I guess I can suck it up.  It's for charity.  And several of my co-workers will be there as well, so they'll keep me awake.  I'm challenging myself to do well [haven't decided on a time yet though...] but we'll see how it goes.  Wish us luck!! .

From A Passion for Baking

Ingredients:

2 c. unsalted butter, melted

3 c. firmly packed light brown sugar

1/3 c. sugar

4 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. old fashioned oats

4 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1 (14 oz.) can dulce de leche

Directions:

1.  Heat oven to 350F.  Generously spray a 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2.  In a large bowl, cream together the melted butter, light brown sugar, and sugar. 

3.  Add eggs, vanilla extract, and oats, and blend well.  Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4.  Gently fold in chocolate chips.

5.  Spread batter into prepared pan.  Top batter with spoonfuls of dulce de leche and using the end of a utensil, swirl the dulce de leche into the batter.

6.  Bake 38 minutes or until slightly brown around the edges but center is still wobbly.  Reduce oven temperature to 325F.  Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until center is set.

Yield: 2 dozen [large] bars