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Two carmelitas stacked on top of one another with other bars in the background

Carmelitas Dessert Bars

Michele Wendt
Carmelitas Dessert Bars are buttery, chewy oatmeal layers stuffed with thick, melty caramel and chocolate chips inside. SO rich and decadent!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 50 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 bars
Calories 460 kcal
Equipment
  • 8 x 8-inch baking dish or pan
  • 1 medium-sized mixing bowl to mix the dry ingredients
  • 1 medium-sized glass measuring cup or medium-sized microwave-safe bowl to melt the butter
  • 1 large-sized glass measuring cup or medium-sized microwave-safe bowl to melt the caramel
Ingredients
  
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (89g) quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup (159g) brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (169g) butter melted
  • 11 ounces (311g) caramel bits or caramel squares
  • 1/2 cup (113g) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
 
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. (I butter the dish before adding the parchment so the parchment will stick.)
  • Add caramel bits and heavy cream to a large glass measuring cup or a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl.
  • Microwave bits for 1 minute. Stir. Then microwave for another minute and stir until completely melted and smooth. Set aside.
  • Add flour, quick oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  • Melt butter in a medium-sized glass measuring cup or a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments until completely melted.
  • Pour melted butter into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients.
  • Mix melted butter with dry ingredients until completely combined.
  • Pat half of the crumb mixture into the baking dish.
  • Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
  • Sprinkle chocolate chips over the baked crumb bottom.
  • Pour the melted caramel evenly over the chocolate chips.
  • Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top of the caramel and chocolate chips.
  • Return the baking dish to the oven and bake an additional 15-20 minutes.
    Once the carmelitas are lightly browned, remove from the oven and let cool completely. (I don't recommend cooling the bars in the refrigerator because they will be too hard to slice.)
  • Once the carmelitas are completely cooled, slice into 12 bars with a sharp knife.
Notes
Store carmelitas covered at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Carmelitas can be wrapped in an airtight freezer bag or container and frozen for up to 3 months.
Keyword Caramel, Carmelitas, Chocolate Chips, Dessert, Dessert Bars