Description
This Caramelitas recipe features chewy oat bars layered with rich chocolate chips and luscious caramel, creating a delectable treat perfect for any occasion. With a buttery oat crust and a gooey caramel center, these easy-to-make bars offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors that both kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fillings
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup caramel sauce or soft caramel candies melted with 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift out the bars later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, light brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute ingredients.
- Add Butter and Vanilla: Pour the melted unsalted butter and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Stir until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined.
- Press Base Layer: Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, until it starts setting but is not browned.
- Add Chocolate and Caramel Layers: Remove the crust from the oven. Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the baked crust. Pour the caramel sauce (or melted soft caramels with cream) evenly over the chocolate layer.
- Top with Remaining Crust: Crumble and sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the caramel layer, covering it as best as possible.
- Bake Final Layer: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15–18 minutes, until the top layer is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
- Cool and Chill: Allow the Caramelitas to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set fully before slicing into 16 bars.
Notes
- You can use store-bought caramel sauce or melt soft caramel candies with heavy cream for the caramel layer.
- For a salted caramel variation, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel before adding the top oat layer.
- These bars can be made a day ahead and stored well in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
