Caramelitas

These Caramelitas perfectly balance an irresistible buttery oat cookie crust with a rich, gooey caramel and chocolate chip filling. While they look incredibly impressive, they come together in less than an hour. These bars are absolutely sinful, and you’ll soon be wondering how you ever survived without them!

Ingredients

Servings:

16

The Oat Crumble:

¾ cup Butter (melted) 1 cup All-purpose flour 1 cup Old-fashioned oats ¾ cup Brown sugar 1 tsp Baking soda

The Gooey Filling:

11 oz bag Baking caramels (unwrapped) ½ cup Heavy cream 1 cup Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

Essential Tools

01

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8x8-inch baking dish

02

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Parchment paper

03

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Small saucepan

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Medium-sized mixing bowl

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Measuring cups and spoons

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Sharp, heavy knife

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Preparation

1

Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it completely with parchment paper for easy removal later.

2

Make the Caramel Filling

In a small saucepan, add the unwrapped baking caramels and the heavy cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Set aside.

3

Mix the Oat Crumble

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, old-fashioned oats, and baking soda until everything is fully combined into a thick, crumbly dough.

4

Bake the Bottom Crust

Press exactly half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form an even layer. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven.

5

Add the Layers

Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the hot, baked crust. Next, carefully pour the warm, melted caramel mixture evenly over the chocolate chips.

6

Top and Bake

Top the caramel layer with the remaining half of the oat mixture, sprinkling it evenly over the top like a crumble. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 18–20 minutes until the top is golden brown.

7

Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to fully cool before slicing into them! This resting period is absolutely required for the hot caramel to set up so the bars hold their shape when cut.

Recipe Variations

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data-path-to-node="31,0,0">Chocolate Swap: Swap the standard semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chunks to balance the sweetness, or use white chocolate chips for a completely different flavor profile.

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data-path-to-node="31,1,0">Salted Caramel: Sprinkle a generous pinch of flaky sea salt over the caramel layer right before adding the final oat topping to create a gourmet烘焙 masterpiece.

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data-path-to-node="31,2,0">Nutty Addition: Sprinkle half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the chocolate chips before pouring the caramel to add a wonderful, crunchy texture.

Chef's Tips

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data-path-to-node="33,0,0">Parchment is Key: Caramel is notoriously sticky! Lining your pan with parchment paper with enough overhang to lift the bars out will save you from a messy disaster.

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data-path-to-node="33,1,0">Stir the Caramel: Do not walk away while melting the caramels and cream. Continuous stirring prevents the sugar from scorching on the bottom of the saucepan.

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data-path-to-node="33,2,0">Clean Slices

For perfectly clean, bakery-style squares, pop the fully cooled pan into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up the caramel before cutting with a sharp, heavy knife.

Storage & Conservation

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data-path-to-node="37,0,0">Room Temperature

Store the fully cooled and sliced bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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data-path-to-node="37,1,0">Refrigerator

Keep them in the fridge if you prefer a firmer, extra-chewy caramel texture.

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Wrap the completely cooled bars individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Common Mistakes

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data-path-to-node="35,0,0">Cutting Too Early: Slicing the bars while they are still warm will cause the caramel to ooze everywhere, leaving you with a delicious but messy puddle instead of neat bars.

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data-path-to-node="35,1,0">Neglecting the Stirring: Leaving the caramel unattended on the stove for even a minute can cause the bottom to burn, ruining the batch with a bitter taste.

Recipe Keywords

#Dessert #Bars #Caramel #Chocolate #Oats #Baking #Easy Desserts

Conclusion

With their ultimate texture heaven of crumbly oats, melted chocolate, and a silky smooth center, these Caramelitas are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. They are decadent, simple to make, and perfect for sharing!