Caramel-Walnut Squares {for Pediatric Cancer Research}

Decadently ooey-gooey Caramel-Walnut Squares ~ These rich and delicious bar cookies are an absolute family favorite.

Mmmmmmmmmm ... ooey-gooey Caramel-Walnut Squares.  They're one of my family's absolute, absolute favorites.  And want to know what's extra special about this batch?  They were baked up for a great cause - Cookies for Kids' Cancer!  Cookies for Kids' Cancer is an organization dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research.  A very worthy cause in my book.

And I think it is totally and completely super awesome that a group of kids in my town ...

... are coordinating and hosting a Cookies for Kids' Cancer bake sale this Saturday, December 8th, 2012.  Check out this article about them from our local paper tonight.  (Oh, and the girl in the white shirt in the back row is the sweet, sweet daughter of a friend of mine. ... so proud of her and her involvement in this bake sale.)

As of tonight, this ambitious group of  kids has gotten 92 bakers signed up to bake for their sale.  92 bakers! Wow!! ... They've done wonderfully, don't you think?

And guess who one of the 92 bakers is?  

Did you guess me??  Oh, you're so smart!  

Yup! ... Me!  Little ol' me.  I baked up a couple of batches of these yummy, ooey-gooey Caramel-Walnut Squares.  Along with some other stuff, too.

If you live in the Gastonia, NC area, please come on by the bake sale this Saturday, December 8th, 2012, to support the efforts of this great group of kids ... and, more importantly, to support kids everywhere dealing with cancer.

Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale

Saturday, December 8th, 2012

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Franklin Square Shopping Center, in front of the Subway restaurant

3078 East Franklin Boulevard, Gastonia

Can't be there but still want to support this amazingly worthy cause?  No problem!  Click the link to make an online donation:

Cookies for Kids' Cancer direct donation page

And, just for you, I'll throw in the recipe for these caramel beauties for free.  Enjoy!

Caramel-Walnut Squares

Source:  My Mom

(Printable recipe)

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 c. oats
• 1 c. + 3 T. all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 c. packed dark brown sugar
• 2/3 c. butter, at room temperature
• 1 c. caramel ice cream topping
• 3/4 c. chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Line an 8" or 9" square baking pan with foil, creating a 'sling' by allowing the ends of the foil to overhang the sides of the pan. Lightly grease foil.
2. Combine the 1 cup flour, oats, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press about 1/2 of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes, or until the top looks dry and tiny cracks appear. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts.
4. Stir together caramel topping and the remaining 3 tablespoons flour until blended. Pour over walnuts, leaving about 1/2" to 1" border along the edges.
5. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture and press down gently. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until the edges bubble slightly. Cool for a bit on a wire rack.
6. Using the edges of the foil 'sling,' lift the bars from the baking pan. Pull foil back from the sides of the bars while they are still warm - otherwise, the caramel may harden onto to the foil. Refrigerate bars for 1 hour before cutting to make cutting easier. Cut into small squares.

Enjoy!