Combine first five dry ingredients (see note below) and cut in butter with a pastry cutter until crumbly. Press a little more than half of the crumb mixture into a 9x13" pan. TIP: Place a piece of parchment paper on top of crust mixture and then place your hands on top of paper and press to pat down to a level layer..

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, let stand 5 minutes.

While crust is baking, melt the caramels and milk in a double boiler or microwave (about 4-5 minutes on high, stir after 2 minutes and each minute after). Let stand until crust is half baked, then pour over half baked crust.

Sprinkle with chocolate chips, pecans and reserved crumb mixture. Continue to bake for 15-20 minutes.

Cool and cut into squares.

NOTE: You can pulse the flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt with the butter or margarine in a food processor just until crumbly. Then add in the oatmeal and pulse just to combine or transfer to a large bowl and work in oatmeal with a fork. The food processor is easier to use vs. using a pastry cutter.