Guittard Chocolate Caramelitas

These are extremely rich and oh so decadent. One pan will go far, but make sure you are stocked up on milk!

14 oz. (50 pcs.) light candy caramels
1/2 c. evaporated milk
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups (12 oz) Guittard semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13x2" pan.
Melt caramels and evaporated milk in heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and melted butter. Press half of crumbs into bottom of prepared 9x13x2" pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350. Remove from oven and evenly sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips and all the pecans over the crust. Pour and spread caramel mixture to cover the chips and pecans. Mix remaining 1/2 cup chips with crumbs and sprinkle over top. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into 48 bars.
Microwave instructions: Melt caramels and milk in small glass bowl on high for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 minutes, stirring after each minute until smooth. Proceed as directed above.

French Bread Pizza

I have been dying to try this recipe for a week now and finally did on Saturday - LOVE IT! It's a pretty quick one and once again was a hit with the whole fam.

6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 (24") loaf french bread, halved lengthwise (use soft supermarket kind, not a baguette)
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 c. Contadina brand pizza sauce
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 475. Microwave oil, garlic, 2 Tbsp. basil, and pepper flakes on high power in a small microwave-safe bowl until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.

Brush half of oil mixture over OUTSIDE crust and edges of bread and arrange cut side up on foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle parmesan evenly over bread and bake until cheese begins to brown, about 3 minutes.

Whisk pizza sauce, remaining basil, and remaining oil mixture in bowl. Spread sauce evenly over bread, then top with mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted and spotty brown, 5-7 minutes. Serve.