Oatmeal Carmelitas
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Oatmeal Carmelitas are a classic layered bar made with oats, brown sugar, chocolate chips, and caramel. They're easy to prepare and perfect for just about any occasion, from holidays to everyday snacking. With a chewy texture, gooey filling, and buttery crumble topping, these bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and satisfying.
Table of Contents
- Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- In Photos: How To Make Oatmeal Carmelitas
- More Recipes
If you love desserts that blend soft, chewy layers with rich chocolate, these bars are right up your alley. They remind me a lot of Nanaimo Bars or even Magic Bars. They are both sweet treats where simple ingredients come together in irresistible layers. And if you're a fan of buttery, crumbly textures, you'll probably also enjoy a slice of Dutch Apple Pie or Shortbread, which share that same melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
These bars store well and slice up beautifully, making them a go-to choice for parties or make-ahead dessert trays.
Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is simple to prepare and comes together quickly, making it easy to make even on a busy day.
- You'll enjoy the toothsome texture created by the chewy oats, buttery crumble, and smooth caramel-chocolate filling.
- Because they hold up well in the fridge or freezer, these bars are great for freezing and ideal for making ahead.
- The crowd-pleasing flavor makes them a favorite at potlucks, bake sales, or any time you want to share a treat.
Ingredients You'll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you're cooking.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the crust and topping. You can also use a gluten-free 1:1 blend if needed.
- Old-fashioned oats: Provide a hearty texture and chew. Quick oats can be used in a pinch, but avoid instant oats.
- Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture, along with a hint of molasses flavor.
- Baking soda: Helps the crust rise slightly and creates a tender mouthfeel.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor. Use a little less if using salted butter.
- Unsalted butter: Creates a rich, buttery crumb. Cold butter is key for a crumbly, streusel-like texture.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Melt into the filling for a gooey, chocolatey center. Dark or milk chocolate chips also work.
- Salted caramel sauce: Adds a rich, sweet, and slightly savory filling. Homemade or store-bought both work well.
In Photos: How To Make Oatmeal Carmelitas
Step 1: Prepare your pan
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Mist a 9x9-inch square baking pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving extra on the sides for easy lifting.
Step 2: Mix the crumb base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly, like coarse sand.
Step 3: Build the layers
Press about three-quarters of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the crust, then drizzle with salted caramel sauce.
Step 4: Top and bake
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top, leaving a few open spots. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until golden around the edges.
Step 5: Cool and slice
Let the bars cool completely before lifting out and cutting into squares. Garnish with extra caramel sauce, if desired.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Use cold butter to get the best crumb texture.
- Don't overbake; bars will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Let them cool completely for neat, clean slices.
- A little flaky sea salt on top adds a delicious finishing touch.
More Recipes
- Lemon Bars
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
- S'mores Bars
- Strawberry Bars
- Pecan Pie Bars
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- White Russian Cheesecake Bars
Oatmeal Carmelitas
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (163.64 g) old-fashioned oats
- 1 ¼ cups (275 g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon (4 g) baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon (4.5 g) kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cups (283.75 g) unsalted butter, cold
- 6 ounces (170.1 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Mist a 9-inch x 9-inch square baking pan with non-stick spray, and line it with parchment paper, allowing the excess to drape over the sides of the pan.
- Place the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Cut the butter into half-inch pieces, and use a pastry blender or clean hands to combine it with the dry ingredients (the mixture should be very crumbly, like streusel).
- Press about ¾ of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Top with the chocolate chips, and drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top, leaving a few spaces for the chocolate and caramel filling to peek through.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
- Cool completely, then cut into bars. Garnish with more salted caramel sauce, if desired.
