Carmelitas Recipe

Carmelitas are indulgent dessert bars featuring layers of buttery oats, rich chocolate, and gooey caramel. These bars offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors, making them a favorite for many.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Decadent Layers: Each bar boasts a harmonious blend of chewy oats, melted chocolate, and smooth caramel.​The Recipe Critic+9Tara Teaspoon+9Lil’ Luna+9
• Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, these bars are both easy and economical to prepare.​Tara Teaspoon
• Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or as a sweet treat to brighten your day.​Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Unsalted butter​Chelsea’s Messy Apron+5The Recipe Critic+5Averie Cooks+5
• Light brown sugar​Lil’ Luna+2Averie Cooks+2Tara Teaspoon+2
• Vanilla extract​
• All-purpose flour​
• Old-fashioned rolled oats​The Recipe Critic+4Preppy Kitchen+4Tara Teaspoon+4
• Baking soda​The Recipe Critic+8Lil’ Luna+8Preppy Kitchen+8
• Salt​Six Sisters’ Stuff+3Preppy Kitchen+3Tara Teaspoon+3
• Soft caramel candies​Lil’ Luna+10Tara Teaspoon+10Preppy Kitchen+10
• Heavy cream​Averie Cooks+1Preppy Kitchen+1
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks​Preppy Kitchen+1Averie Cooks+1

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang for easy removal.​Chelsea’s Messy Apron
2. Prepare the Crust and Topping: In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix until a crumbly dough forms.​Averie Cooks
3. Bake the Base Layer: Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden.​
4. Prepare the Caramel Filling: While the base is baking, melt the unwrapped caramels with heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until smooth.​Food.com+9Chelsea’s Messy Apron+9Preppy Kitchen+9
5. Assemble the Layers: Remove the partially baked crust from the oven. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the crust. Pour the melted caramel over the chocolate layer, spreading gently. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the caramel layer.​The Recipe Critic+2Chelsea’s Messy Apron+2Preppy Kitchen+2
6. Bake the Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling.​
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set the caramel. For quicker setting, you can refrigerate them. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment or foil overhang and cut into squares.​

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 16 bars​
• Prep Time: 15 minutes​Food.com+5The Girl Who Ate Everything+5Six Sisters’ Stuff+5
• Cook Time: 25–30 minutes​Six Sisters’ Stuff
• Cooling Time: Approximately 4 hours (can be expedited by refrigeration)​

Variations

• Nutty Addition: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the chocolate layer for added crunch and flavor.​
• Chocolate Choices: Use milk chocolate for a sweeter taste or dark chocolate for a more intense cocoa flavor.​
• Salted Caramel Twist: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel layer before adding the top oat layer for a sweet and salty contrast.​

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.​
• Freezing: Individually wrap bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.​
• Reheating: To enjoy warm, microwave a bar on low power for 10–15 seconds until slightly warmed.​

FAQs

What are Carmelitas?

Carmelitas are dessert bars featuring layers of oats, chocolate, and caramel, resulting in a chewy and gooey treat.​Simply Recipes+3Tara Teaspoon+3Chelsea’s Messy Apron+3

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?

Yes, quick oats can be used, but the texture may be slightly less chewy compared to using old-fashioned rolled oats.​The Girl Who Ate Everything+3Preppy Kitchen+3Lil’ Luna+3

Is it necessary to line the baking pan?

Lining the pan with parchment paper or foil facilitates easy removal and clean-up, but it’s not strictly necessary.​Preppy Kitchen+1The Recipe Critic+1

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Double the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. Baking times may need slight adjustments.​The Girl Who Ate Everything+2Six Sisters’ Stuff+2Preppy Kitchen+2

How do I prevent the caramel from hardening too much?

Ensure you use soft caramel candies and melt them with heavy cream to achieve a smooth, pliable caramel layer.​Six Sisters’ Stuff+7Tara Teaspoon+7Chelsea’s Messy Apron+7

Can I add nuts to the recipe?

Yes, adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts between the chocolate and caramel layers adds a delightful crunch.​Tara Teaspoon+2Six Sisters’ Stuff+2Simply Recipes+2

How long should I wait before cutting the bars?

It’s best to let the bars cool completely, about 4 hours, to allow the caramel to set properly for clean cuts.​Averie Cooks

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

While possible, using melted caramel candies provides a thicker, more stable caramel layer compared to most store-bought sauces.​

Are there gluten-free options for this recipe?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.​

How do I store leftover Carmelitas?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerate for extended freshness.​

Conclusion

Carmelitas are a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of caramel and chocolate with the wholesome texture of oats. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these bars are sure to impress. Enjoy baking and indulging in this classic dessert!

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