Softball Bars

Tracy's softball bars.  Tracy always made these for weekend softball tournaments.  They may have been the only reason I agreed to go with my best friend to all those things.  They are one of my all-time favorite bars.  Perfect combination of sweet with just a touch of salt from the pretzels.  

They are fairly quick to put together, make a large batch (jellyroll pan anyone?) and they hold up well when taking places.  Did I mention how much I love them??  Ryan actually pulled out the, "If you love them so much, why don't you marry them?"  I guess I had been going on about them for awhile.  And he's a cheese ball, so he says stuff like that.  :)  

Softball Bars

{yields 48 bars}

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups quick cook oatmeal

1 bag caramel bits

2 Tbsp water

12 oz's M&M's

1 cup crushed pretzels

white almond bark

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter, brown sugar, flour, salt and soda.  Mix in oatmeal. {The mixture should hold together pretty well...not be crumbly.  If it is, keep mixing!}

Spread and press into a jelly roll pan.  Bake for 8-12 minutes.  The crust should just barely begin to change color.  

Over medium heat, combine caramels and water in a saucepan and heat until caramels are completely melted.  Spread over crust.  Sprinkle with M&M's and pretzels.  Melt almond bark and drizzle on top.  

Cool completely, cut and enjoy!