Description
Soft & Chewy Carmelitas are buttery oat bar cookies layered with rich caramel and melted chocolate for the ultimate chewy dessert. These homemade carmelitas are easy to bake, perfect for sharing, and packed with cozy brown sugar, oats, and gooey chocolate flavor.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 ounces soft caramels, unwrapped
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and vanilla until a crumbly dough forms.
3. Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
4. Bake the base for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven.
5. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the soft caramels with the heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
6. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the warm crust.
7. Pour the melted caramel mixture over the chocolate chips and spread gently.
8. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer.
9. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the edges are set.
10. Cool completely before slicing into bars. For cleaner slices, chill briefly before cutting.
Notes
Use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats for the best chewy texture.
Do not overbake, or the bars will lose their soft center.
Line the pan with parchment paper so the bars lift out easily and slice neatly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 368
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 42mg