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| photo courtesy of Pillsbury.com |
The Bake-Off started in 1949 by the Minnesota-based Pillsbury Company and contestants were required to use Pillsbury Flour in their creations. Most of the recipes were for cakes, cookies and desserts. The name of the contest changed over the years as did requirements. Categories were added beyond baking to incorporate convenience products like refrigerated biscuits, to highlight ethnic inspired recipes, and to use time-savers like microwave ovens.
What hasn’t changed is that winning recipes are published in a 100-page booklet. Collecting these can become an obsession and many can be found on Etsy.
Great information on the Bake-Off is widely available on the web if you want to know more. So grab a cup of java and enjoy my go-to recipe created in 1967 by Erlyce Larson of Kennedy, Minnesota. I’m a native of Minnesota so perhaps that’s why I love these bars–they taste like vintage and home!
OATMEAL CARMELITAS
2 cups Pillsbury flour
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
1-14 ounce package of caramels, unwrapped
1/3 cup half and half
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Grease a 9 x 13 in. baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, oatmeal, sugar, soda, and salt. Stir to blend.
Add melted butter and mix until well combined. Reserve half of the crumb mixture.
Press remaining crumbs into the bottom of the pan.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels and the half and half. Heat for 4-6 minutes on low power, stirring a couple of times during the melting process until caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth. (Watch carefully as microwaves vary.)
Sprinkle the crust with chocolate chips. Drizzle with the melted caramel mixture and top with reserved crumbs.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Cool at least 1 hour before cutting. Store covered in a cool place.
Yummy! Thanks Deb for the nod to Minnesota. I've had the opportunity to sample winning recipes and photo art direct a few of the Bake Off issues in the 1990's and early 2000's so this feels like coming home.
Barbara of ionesAttic
aka Cookie