Description
Gooey, buttery Carmelitas dessert bars made with layers of oat crumble, melted chocolate, and rich caramel. Perfectly chewy and crisp, ideal for holidays, potlucks, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (11 oz) bag caramel bits or unwrapped soft caramels
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Add in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, melt the caramel bits with heavy cream in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
- Remove the crust from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot crust.
- Pour the melted caramel over the chocolate layer and gently spread it evenly.
- Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling around the edges.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to let the caramel set.
Notes
Use dark chocolate chunks for a richer flavor variation.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the oat topping for extra crunch.
Sprinkle sea salt on the caramel layer for a salted caramel twist.
For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze with parchment between layers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
