Decadent Carmelitas
If you like buttery oatmeal cookies, dark chocolate, and sweet caramel you will be smitten with these over-the-top treats! It’s an indulgent three desserts in one. So in other words you’ll find them to be completely irresistible. They are soft and chewy thanks to that oaty cookie base, then you’ll find some fudgy chocolate goodness in the center, and they’re highlighted with velvety creaminess thanks to that caramel candy. Let the baking season begin early with these tempting Carmelitas cookie bars!
Carmelitas Recipe Ingredients
32 caramels, unwrapped (such as Kraft) 1/2 cup (120ml) (120ml) heavy cream 1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (98g) old fashioned rolled oats 3/4 cup (170g) packed light-brown sugar 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp table salt 12 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 1 Tbsp pieces 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup (184g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Make Carmelitas
See full directions in recipe box below.
- Pour cream over caramels in a saucepan and melt over low heat, or melt in microwave safe dish in microwave. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in vanilla and melted butter. 3. Press half the oatmeal mixture into 8×8-inch baking dish, then bake for 10 minutes. 4. Sprinkle chocolate chips over oatmeal cookie layer, then pour caramel over top. 5. Press remaining oatmeal mixture on top of the caramel, then bake.
Storage
I recommend storing these bars in the fridge up to 4 days. If already cut wrap individually. Keep in an airtight container. These can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Helpful Tips and Substitutes
If you don’t have old fashioned oats on hand quick oats will work as well. The texture will just be a little less chewy. Out of brown sugar? DIY brown sugar can be made by mixing 2/3 cup granulated sugar with 2 tsp molasses.Mix together first before adding to the recipe. Swap the chocolate chips. Have a serious sweet tooth? Milk chocolate chips will work in place of semi sweet. Or on the the other hand for deeper flavor, bittersweet chocolate chips will work great too. Optionally add nuts. You can also add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the oat cookie dough mixture.
You need to wait for these bars to cool completely before cutting into them, otherwise they’ll be a total runny caramel mess. For an extra highlight of contrasting flavor you can sprinkle the sea salt either on top of the caramel layer or on top of the carmelitas for that salted caramel flavor.
More Caramel Recipes You’ll Love:
Easiest Homemade Caramels Caramel Apple Mini Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping Caramel-Soaked Almond Cake Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce Banana Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting Salted Caramel Pots de Creme
