Oatmeal Cookie Bar Layer

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and brown sugar using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. Add the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until combined and slightly crumbly.
• Pat 3/4 of the oatmeal cookie mixture into a 12" x 17" baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Set the remaining cookie dough aside.
• Bake in your preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until lightly golden brown, and then remove from the oven and let cool.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and coconut extract. Stir until combined, then spread evenly over the oatmeal cookie bars.
• Place caramel candies into a microwave safe bowl with 1 teaspoon of evaporated milk and heat on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir, then heat again for 30 seconds on 50% power and repeat until completely melted.
• Drizzle the caramel over the coconut layer, then sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Add the remaining 1/4 cups of cookie mixture crumble evenly over the top.
• Return to the oven to bake for an additional 20-22 minutes, or until the edges are barely golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let the cookie bars cool to room temperature before cutting and serving. Enjoy!