Best Oatmeal Carmelitas Bars

These oatmeal carmelitas bars are rich, chewy, and packed with sweet caramel, melted chocolate, and a buttery oat crumb crust. They’re easy to make with simple ingredients, and every bite has the best mix of soft, gooey, and slightly crunchy texture.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 32

Total Time 37

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings bars

Calories 439 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup light brown sugar tightly packed
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
⅛ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup unsalted butter melted, 2 sticks
1½ cups all purpose flour
1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
11 ounces caramels or caramel bits
¼ cup heavy cream
1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper, set aside. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Add brown sugar, vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and melted butter to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, blend on low speed until well combined.
Next, add all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and kosher salt to the wet ingredients. Blend until the mixture is well combined and forms a crumbly dough.
Divide the dough into two portions, then press the first portion into the parchment-lined 9x13 baking pan. Bake the first portion of the dough for 10 minutes at 350ºF.
While the dough is baking, prepare the caramel and heavy cream mixture in a medium bowl by combining the caramel bits and heavy cream. Microwave for 2 minutes, then stir. Microwave the caramel mixture in additional 30-second increments until the mixture is melted, creamy, and smooth.
After the base has baked for 10 minutes, sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the warm dough, then drizzle the melted caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate chips, leaving a little caramel sauce to use for drizzle at the end.
Crumble the last half of the dough over the chocolate chips and melted caramel. Place the carmelitas back in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove carmelitas from the oven and drizzle the remaining melted caramel evenly over the hot bars. Allow the carmelitas to cool completely to room temperature. Make sure the carmelitas are completely cool before cutting into 15 bars.

Notes

Store the Carmelitas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Discard if you see any mold. They will last a little longer in the fridge, but may get stale sooner.

To freeze, store in an airtight freezer storage container for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw overnight on the counter before serving.

Nutrition

Keyword bars, caramel, chocolate

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