Yuletide Toffee Squares

4 1/2 cups rolled oats, quick-cooking or old fashioned
1 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup butter or margarine -- melted
1/2 cup corn syrup -- light or dark
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt -- optional
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped nuts -- optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2-inch jelly roll pan.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla extract and salt; mix well. Firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the mixture is brown and bubbly. Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the toffee. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Spread the chocolate evenly over the toffee; sprinkle with the nuts. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. To serve, cut into squares.

Makes 72Makes 72