Father Statz’s “Grace” Bars

Twelve Days of Cookie Baking — Day 9

Create memories your families and friends will savor for years to come

Audrey Rademacher featured this fabulous recipe in the “Fruit of the Spirit” cookbook published in commemoration of Brooten’s St. Donatus Parish centennial celebration last summer.

She nicknamed them “Father Statz’s ‘Grace’ Bars” because they are so delectable they are like “tasting a piece of heaven.” Father James Statz was the pastor in Brooten and at St. Anthony Parish in Padua, from 1995 to 2001 and he coined the name “Grace Bars” for this divine creation made of caramels, cream, butter, chocolate chips, nuts and oatmeal. CJK

Father Statz’s “Grace” Bars

(Audrey Rademacher)

48 caramels

5 tbsp. light cream

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch pan.

Melt caramels with cream and set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, oatmeal, sugar, soda, salt and melted butter. Press half of this mixture in the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350 °F.

Spread caramel mixture on crust and sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts over caramel. Press the remaining crust on top. Return to oven and bake an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.

Yield: 36 bars

A note from Audrey: You need to use butter for this recipe — don’t substitute margarine or shortening. I’ve found that the individually wrapped Kraft caramels work the best in this recipe.

A note from Carol: To order the “Fruit of the Spirit” cookbook, contact the St. Donatus Parish office at stdonatus@tds.net or 320-346-2431. They are on sale for $20 each or two for $30. (Shipping and handling is $5 for one book or $7 for two.)

These cookbooks would make great Christmas presents!