Pumpkin Oatmeal Carmelitas

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cups

all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups

old fashioned rolled oats

1 tsp

baking soda

1/2 tsp

(pumpkin pie spice, divided)

1/4 tsp

salt

1 cup

brown sugar

1 cup

butter (melted)

1 cup

semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup

chopped pecan pieces (optional)

Pumpkin Caramel Filling

1 1/2 cups

caramel bits or 34 caramel squares (unwrapped)

2 tbsp

heavy cream

1/3 cup

pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 tsp

pumpkin pie spice